African Press International, Michelle Obama Tapes: Fox News Denies Story

African Press International
Michelle Obama Audio Tapes
The [Almost] Final Chapter



Fox News Denies Negotiations or Airing of API Tapes


The final verdict is in on the African Press International story about it receiving a phone call from Michelle Obama that was, in API's words, "shocking".

That verdict does not bode well for African Press International. We will classify the whole episode "bizarre--though entertaining to some".

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ALSO at DBKP on African Press International and Michelle Obama:

* African Press International, Michelle Obama: API Says Discussions with Fox News Are Happening
* African Press International, Michelle Obama Phone Call: Tapes Released Later Today
* Michelle Obama Calls African News Organization Over Obama Birth Certificate Reporting - UPDATED
* African Press International, Michelle Obama: Editor Says He Has Audio Tape of Conversation
* African Press International: Open Letter to Michelle Obama from API Chief Editor

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The African Press International story started 16 days ago when API posted a story concerning a phone they allege occurred between one of their correspondents and Michelle Obama that had elements which API called "shocking".

API said that in the phone conversation, Mrs. Obama referred to Americans opposed to her husband's candidacy as "racists".

DBKP reported the story. We've since received emails, pro and con, about the alleged phone call and the API stories, which have turned into an Internet saga.

API said they recorded the call. Then that the audio of the tape would be released. Then, after delays, we took a powder on the story, deciding to wait and see.

During that entire time, we've been in contact with several individuals who have been involved in various aspects of the API negotiations. Their opinions of API changed--sometimes over the course of a single.

So, we waited.

The following story was posted on the API website today.

API/Fox News deal: Sean Hannity show and Greta Van Susteren’s show “On the Record” to air the Michelle Obama tape in less than 24 hours.

The agreement stipulates that any information on the day and hour the tape will be aired will only be announce 15 minutes to the airing time. This was agreed upon to avoid any pressure being directed to Fox News Network by individuals who would want to get the details about the tape in question.

The airing of the tape can take place any time from this day and due to its sensitivity, people who will inquire from Fox News and API for details will either get a no comment answer or that there is no agreement on the table.

Which invited the following responses, which we noted.

From This is JUST A LIE. IT IS THAT SIMPLE.

READ BELOW: THIS IS SIMPLY A LIE ABOUT ME AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF A LIE ABOUT FOX AND / OR SEAN HANNITY BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS STUFF BELOW IS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHO API (AFRICAN PRESS) IS…this is the first I have heard about them….BUT I DO WANT TO “KILL THE VIRUS” LYING ABOUT ME. (Note that I lifted only part of the quote below because I just wanted to correct the lie about me..the website goes on and on.)

Fox News Denies Involvement with Supposed Michelle Obama Audio Tape:

Exclusive: Fox News denies any involvement in the purchase of an audio tape apparently featuring an unflattering portrayal of Michelle Obama. In a widely-circulated Web post, an organization called African Press International claims to be in negotiations with the network to air the tape.

An FNC spokesman tells TVNewser: "API's dubious claim that FOX News has purchased a supposed audio tape to be aired prior to Election Day is absolutely false."

Today's post on the API Website reads:

A final agreement has been reached between African Press International (API) and Fox News Network (USA) on the dates to air the Michelle Obama tape arising from a discussion Mrs. Obama had with the API two weeks ago. The show will take place any day/time from now, with a 15 minutes alert on when it is to take place. Other programmes will be interrupted. This is a precaution taken to avoid interference from any quarter. In the agreement, Fox News Network will broadcast 39 minutes of the 54 minutes long tape.

ABC's Jake Tapper talked with Obama campaign senior adviser Robert Gibbs last week who told him no such tape exists. "It's bogus, she didn't call, it's all a lie," Gibbs says.

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The entire episode seems strange: strange that API would post their latest story.

Strange because the rest of their posts, covering a multitude of stories from Africa, suggest no hoaxes, no scams.

We can't divulge the various opinions and back-and-forth for the emails we received over the last week. But we will say this: confusion among the various parties, including API reigned.

We will now post the following API information, plus and minus.

• API believes they talked to Michelle Obama.
• API has audio tapes of something.
• API is a small organization and is not usually in the spotlight.
• Some parts of API's story checked out. DBKP got proof--from some individuals that API referred to in their subsequent stories--that confirmed parts of API's stories.
• DBKP received proof that these individuals were corresponding directly with API, as reported by API.
• Apparently, the editor-in-chief of African Press International had made arrangements to fly to New York City. API reported that this was for an appearance on Fox News.
• Previously, DBKP--despite numerous attempts--could not confirm or deny that API ever was in negotiations with anyone at Fox News.

Now, on the API minus side:

• African Press International has not posted an audio tape of their alleged conversation, 16 days after the fact.
• Numerous delays have occurred in the API timeline.
• Individuals DBKP trusts have expressed doubts in writing to us with proof.
• API's latest story about the appearance of the tapes on Fox News, which has been denied officially by a Fox News spokesman.

As always, readers can make their own judgments.

Our judgment, at present time?

The phone call could have taken place. African Press International could have audio tapes of the phone call. African Press International may believe it had an agreement with Fox News.

African Press International did receive emails of a harassing nature, as well as threats--from both sides of the political spectrum.

Is the story true?

As we reported sixteen days ago: we don't know.

The API story could be true.

However, based on 1) what we know from the latest reports from both African Press International and Fox News; and, 2) can report from the many off-the-record accounts we've received, we are throwing the cold water of hard evidence on the story.


We won't label it a "hoax" or "scam": there's no evidence any money was to be gained by African Press International. That failure to try and quickly cash in when API could have--along with their past 1000+ stories over the last two years--are two of the reasons we won't slam the lid on the coffin of this strange story.

However, we'll note that we wouldn't be betting the house on the story.

If there are further developments that DBKP can confirm, we'll, of course, report them. We will publish a complete wrap-up and timeline to the story--most probably in the next several days, time allowing.

For now, we'll quote a line from one of our off-the-record email conversations with one of the principals.

"This story will probably end up in the October Surprise graveyard."


by Mondo Frazier
images: dbkp file

African Press International, Michelle Obama: Audio Tape of Phone Call to be Released Later Today

African Press International, Michelle Obama:
API to Release Audio of Phone Conversation Later Today



African Press International (API) insists that the air will be cleared today concerning their phone conversation with Michelle Obama.

API's latest story reveals that they will release the audio of the purported phone conversation on Tuesday at "1600 Norwegian time".


Update! API will come with more information on Michelle Obama tapes at 16.00 hours Norwegian time

API will reach out with important update to the readers at 16.00 hours Norwegian time. We have been through a lot of pressure after we published the story. The fact that some people want us to take decisions hurriedly does not help us much.

To those who want to listen and take us seriously:

The tapes are there and the truth must be told. If some people want to continue imagining that this may be an hoax or something connected with Nigerian scam, then let them continue believing so because we cannot force any one to believe in us.

There are those readers who have exercised their rights to doubt the story and there are those who believe that the story is true. API wishes to state once more that those who believe us will not be let down finally. We know that things have taken time but we would like you to know that API is not playing with the readers, we just decided to be careful because the same story will become very explosive when all unpublished contents come out.

There are a number of issues we want to clarify so that some commentators do not continue to mislead those readers who are interested in the truth in this Obama matter.

Some have stated that they have checked for information about API and that they are unable to find that API has existed since October 2006. There are those who claim that on the blog roll, the Rainbow Foundation shown there is bogus and we say their claim is saddening because they do so without knowing the real facts.

In API's original story last week, Michelle Obama allegedly discussed with the API correspondent many interesting things.

Is the story for real? Did it take place? DBKP does not know at this point.

Neither does anyone else, outside of the principals involved at this point.

More from the API story:

We clarify:

Rainbow Foundation was founded in Norway in 1995 and officially registered as NGO in the beginning of 1996 with the registration number shown on the top of this site. Rainbow still exists and continues to do a good job.

Rainbow Foundation, together with the Chief Editor of API initiated the establishment of API in the end of September 2006 and API became operational from October the same year. API has no problems using WordPress.com server because we find it very effective and we like it. Some are commenting that it is a cheap looking site but for us that matters less - it is the information we bring out to the readers that we consider to be of importance, not the way a site looks - if some people out there think we want a site that looks fancy, then they do not understand our operational methods and what we like to give priority. We are satisfied being here >: http://africanpress.wordpress.com and will continue using wordpress server because we find it fantastic and it serves our needs.

API is not in any way a scamming organization. We are genuine and those who believe in us make us proud and grateful. We will continue to bring news to the readers without favouring any political groups.

We would urge readers not to be negative when they do not have all the facts. We are not trying to get traffic to our site by constructing a story as some are trying to indicate.

Our important update will clear some of the things bothering some readers. We will not stop until the tapes are out there for the readers to judge for themselves.

Let there be known that we have genuine tapes and the person recorded is Michelle Obama, one who may become the next US First Lady.

African Press International has come in for some heavy flak for printing its original story, "Shocking development: Mrs Obama decides enough is enough: "My husband was born in Hawaii and adopted by his step father, does that make him unpatriotic; she asks", on a direct telephone to API." last week.

(ALSO at African Press International: The Obama tapes to be released)

It would be an understatement to say that the API website--which is hosted by WordPress--has been flooded with comments and traffic during the last five days.

The API story on Michelle Obama is different for a site which reports on such topics as "Sudan: Nine Chinese oil workers kidnapped" and "Tragedy: A former Kenya District Commissioner commits suicide".



Who is African Press International?





African Press International, in their own words:
"A “Daily Online News Channel” established on 30th.September 2006 by Rainbow Foundation (NGO) Reg.no. 976593510 and The Chief Editor who is a Member of Investigative Reporters and Editors".

The site, headquartered in Norway, has correspondents throughout Africa. These correspondents appear to be citizen-journalists in their respective countries.

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BACKGROUND at DBKP:
* Michelle Obama Calls African News Organization Over Obama Birth Certificate Reporting - UPDATED
* African Press International, Michelle Obama: Editor Says He Has Audio Tape of Conversation
* African Press International: Open Letter to Michelle Obama from API Chief Editor

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From Will Michelle Obama tape 'change political atmosphere in America'? and African Press International's

"Those who do not support Obama are actively pushing for the release of the recordings also, and we understand them very well. In many telephone conversations with them we, however, get disturbed when we realize that most of them want the recordings to be released because they want to use it to stop Senator Obama from being elected president
. They state clearly that if the story is true and released now, the contents will sa[v]e America from a constitutional crisis that may come if things come out after the elections that proves Obama was adopted by a foreigner, thus, disqualifying him from the presidency," Korir wrote.

The statement confirmed that API "has recordings of the conversation between API and Mrs. Obama" and "we confirm that the audio will be released to the public."

"In the last 24 hours, API has been consulting legal advisers on the way forward in order to avoid being sued by the Obama camp. API has realized that the contents of the tapes if made public may change the political atmosphere in America for ever, especially in the next few days," the statement said.

"API now understands the impact of the statements made by Mrs. Obama. The American people have reacted in a way we in API would never have expected.

"Many have question[ed] why Mrs. Obama would choose a little known online media group instead of the American media. API was chosen because of a Nairobi contact that did not like the way API was covering Barack Obama using information collected from American media outlets. The Nairobi contact prevailed upon Mrs. Obama to talk to API," the statement said.

"The only thing API may have done wrong is not informing Mrs. Obama that the conversation was being recorded. This is why it is taking time to release the recording while consulting a legal team because API wants to be legally safe from any Obama camp law suit," Korir wrote.

"API is not out to convince the American public of anything. We do not want to influence the outcome of the U.S. presidential elections. API got a true story and published it. The fact that the story has caused a stir was unexpected, but that does not mean API must rush in a manner that will cause problems to itself, just to satisfy those who want the audio tapes so badly," the statement said. "When the legal concerns are cleared, which is happening in a short while, API will make public all the recordings available. This will also include comments, not yet published, which will most certainly put the Obama campaign spokesperson who had dismissed the story off balance.

"Even if our recordings or any other recordings had surfaced after the elections and if the contents were damaging to the elected person that still could have caused any elected president to vacate the White House. We all know that the tapes released in the U.S. in 1974 forced President Richard Nixon out of office. The truth is the truth. The tapes during Nixon time did not lie. The same here. The recordings that API will release soon will not lie to the American people. Most probably, it will change the political landscape, something the Americans should start getting prepared to face," Korir suggested.

More from Will Michelle Obama tape 'change political atmosphere in America'?

After the initial API report, Tommy Vietor, an Obama campaign spokesman, told National Review's Byron York the conversation didn't happen.

"The answer is no, it's not real, the report is made up. She did not speak to the organization," Vietor said, according to York's report on National Review Online's blog
"The Corner."

Korir, however, responded to WND's e-mail confirming the report is accurate.

"API hereby confirms to you that the story is true and if the huge interest on this particular story continues, we will post the recording on our website in the next immediate days," his e-mail said.

API asked Michelle Obama to comment on the detention of Corsi during his visit last week to Kenya, where he was investigating the presidential candidate's links to a controversial strongman serving as prime minister.

"When API asked Mrs. Obama to comment on why Dr. Corsi was arrested by the Kenyan government and whether she thought Kenya's prime minister, Mr. Raila Odinga, was involved in Dr. Corsi's arrest, she got irritated and simply told API not to dig [into] that which will support evil people who are out to stop her husband from getting the presidency," the publication reported.

Is the API story true?

DBKP has come under some fire for reporting on the African Press International stories--both from the Left and Right.

Some Obama supporters insist that the story is a scam: planted for nefarious purposes to damage the Obama campaign. According to this group, API's motivation is attention, smears, fun, profits, or [fill in the blanks].

We say: if the story is not true, there will be no damage done. The Obama campaign quickly denied the story, which came from, what some called "an obscure blog". The Obama campaign never bothered to deny or confirm the Larry Sinclair story, which was bogus.

Apparently, the Obama campaign takes the API story more seriously than it did the fantastic story of convicted conman, Larry Sinclair, about his 1999 wild nights of riding around in the back of a rented limo with Obama, engaging in cocaine and gay sex.

Some Obama detractors insist that the story is a scam: planted for nefariious purposes to damage Obama detractors who publish it. According to this group, API's motivation is to damage the credibility of Obama detractors.

We say: if the story is untrue, we fail to see how reporting on the story--on which DBKP has clearly stated our lack of confirmation--can damage credibility. If the story is true, we will report it. If it turns out to be untrue, we will also report that.

Unlike the Mainstream Media, which has lost both trust and customers by making the decisions its readers should make, our job here is neither to promote the story nor to debunk it--though if it turns out true, we will hammer on it.

If information proves it untrue, we will debunk it.

One comment: if Obama campaign had been forthright in its statements on the relationship between Barack Obama and Bill Ayers, we would put more stock in the campaign's almost-immediate denial.

Barack Obama himself, during the third debate, told John McCain to his face--and a national TV audience--that it was "absolutely untrue" that his first Illinois senate campaign was launched from domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers' living room.

Perhaps it was launched from Bill Ayers' kitchen, as John at Powerline mused.

But whatever contortions the Obama campaign might go through to justify that denial, it was grossly and willfully misleading.

That statement alone is proof enough to treat other statements about sensitive issues with a high degree of skepticism.

The Obama campaign's dogged refusal to release the Senator's medical and college records to the press also does not invite trust on their other claims. A press which clamored for John McCain's medical records in the Spring is silent on the matter of Obama medical records in the Fall.

Is the story about Michelle Obama calling African Press International and unloading on her husband's American opponents as "racist"?

We don't know at this point.

But we're going to find out soon--perhaps as soon as today.


by Mondo Frazier
images: dbkp file

African Press International: Open Letter to Michelle Obama

African Press International:
An Open Letter to Michelle Obama

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UPDATES at African Press International: Open Letter to Michelle Obama from API Chief Editor

"The intention of writing to you this open letter is to appeal to you to confirm that we had a talk because it is the only right thing to do now, so that we avoid any embarrassment should the whole tape be aired unedited."

BREAKING
Editor Addresses Open Letter to Michelle Obama
Concerning Her Phone Call to API

From African Press International Chief Editor KorirAn open letter to Michelle Obama after API’s discussion with a CIA official in Oslo:

I have decided to write this open letter and to refer you to our telephone conversation the day your husband was having a debate with his opponent in New York. This has to be an open letter because the story is already out there and many Americans are crying for the truth about what we discussed.

I know our discussion was not meant to harm your husband’s candidacy nor was it meant to derail the US Presidential elections in any way. We both know that our talk was - a sister to brother talk - black to black person talk - in the African perspective. The problem came later when we listened to the taped recording of our talk. API thought it wise to publish some of the contents that are not inflammatory. API did the best to select that which could not cause any chaos and we in API did not expect that waht we chose to publish would have the impact it now has had in the last five days.

Many Americans have surprised us in the way they take the interview very seriously. We want to respect them - as we have promised from day one - to let them know the truth in what transpired between yourself and us. We have realised that the American people want to know you well before you probably become their first Lady.

The intention of writing to you this open letter is to appeal to you to confirm that we had a talk because it is the only right thing to do now, so that we avoid any embarrassment should the whole tape be aired unedited. You are well aware of our discussions touching on thorny issues like Iran’s good trade relationship with Kenya and the fact Kenya may play a role in mending the relationship between Iran and the US so that healthy trade relationship may be achieved if your husband gets the presidency. Remember the length and the depth of our talk on other issues of importance in this hotly contested election where as you have stated - is an opportunity for the black people to start being proud of America and to be patriotic.

API was disappointed that one of your husband’s spokespersons rushed to the press to deny that you had called API. It is best that they check with you first before jumping to conclusions as if they control your private calls everyday.

API is interested in handling this matter in a good and reasonable way so that we may not be forced to release the tapes in its entirety. We do not want to be party to causing unnecessary chaos before the elections. If you just come forward and confirm that there was a call you placed to API, that will enable API to be out of it and nobody will continue to demand that we air unedited tape, but that we can release the one with information that is already known to the public.

We will appreciate solving this matter this way in order to avoid unnecessary law suits that may come about.

It is my apology to you that we did not let you know that the conversation was being taped, and yet I expect you to know that being a public figure, such may happen.

We have decided to write to you after our discussion today with a US CIA official in Oslo.

Chief Editor Korir sees the Obama campaign's denial and raises one audio tape.


by Mondo Frazier
image: dbkp file