African Press International, Michelle Obama Tapes:
API Says it is in Discussion with Fox News over Release of Tapes.
Fox News Cannot Confirm at this Time

UPDATES to follow at end of story.
UPDATE 1
UPDATE #2 – 1655 EDT Two conversations with Fox News

African Press International has released a statement saying they are in discussions over the release of the Michelle Obama phone call audio tapes to FOX News.

From Michelle Obama tapes’ imminent release approaching: API in a serious negotiation with FOX NEWS on the best way forward

API has an ongoing discussion with FOX NEWS on the best way forward in the process of releasing Michelle Obama tapes to the American people.

API hopes the negotiation will be completed as soon as possible so that the tapes can be made available to FOX NEWS in the next few days and specifically before the voting day – the 4th of November.

API will make use of Legal Representation in the US when finalising the hand-over of the tapes and on any legal matters that may arise after the contents of the tapes become public.

We want to thank all our readers – those who have managed to be patient and also those who have exhibited total impatience. We assure them that an agreement will be reached soon between API and FOX NEWS one way or another, so that API fulfills the promise it gave to the readers.

The important thing we want the readers to know is how the tapes will be handled once it finally leaves API’s custody. API has confidence in FOX NEWS and will allow them to decide whether the tapes will be aired in full, edited or unedited. Once the tapes are released to FOX NEWS as per agreement that will be arrived at between the parties, API believes that FOX NEWS is competent enough to decide on how to proceed in handling the tapes because – better than us in API – they know what is best for the American listeners.

Some may not understand why this has taken long to accomplish. Sensitive issues requires careful steps so that nobody gets hurt in the process. People have questioned why the delay. API wanted to take time and make a good choice on the way forward and we can now happily say we are on the right track and hopefully you do not have to wait for long before your wishes are fulfilled.

Now that the release of the tapes is imminent, as soon as an agreement is reached, API hopes that those who finally gets access to its contents will use them wisely, in a way that brings the American people closer to one another despite their political allienation and to be above racial behaviour and work together for a better United American Nation. API does not wish to see the information from the tapes being misused by those who may wish to satisfy their own interests and achieve a particular aim.

The release of the tapes will take place without costs to any one. The negotiation between API and FOX NEWS bears no sign of money involved and that has been API’s wish all along.

As we have maintained, time will tell.

More information as it becomes available.

UPDATE: DBKP called FoxNews in New York. A producer whom we talked to (who had previously contacted us on another story), said he had no information on the discussions referred to above, but that it’s very likely he wouldn’t if they were occurring. After being transferred to Media Relations, no further information on this matter was gained.

We were told, “It’s a big building and there’s a lot of people here. Just because I don’t have information on this particular matter, doesn’t mean it is or is not happening.”

We will continue to try to confirm this. UPDATES to follow.

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.

UPDATE #2 – 1655 EDT

We spoken to two additional persons at Fox News HQ in New York. They cannot confirm–or deny–discussions with African Press International at this point.

Because they do not know.

We are awaiting a phone call back on this matter. When that call will occur, we have no way of knowing.

We note that the API editor says the audio–if it exists–will be released to Fox without an exchange of money.

Did the phone call between Michelle Obama and API take place? Do they have audio tapes–as their Chief Editor insists?

We do not know at this moment. We are merely reporting developments. It may be true. It may turn out to be not true.

But we will report the results either way.

by Mondo Frazier