27038: (news) Chamberlain: Haiti-Freelance Termination (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

   SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Dec 30 (AP) -- The Associated Press has
terminated its relationship with a freelance reporter in Haiti after
learning she was working for a U.S. government-sponsored organization.
   The National Endowment for Democracy confirmed Regine Alexandre began
working for the organization in October as a "part-time facilitator"
between the NED and Haitian groups.
   The NED describes itself as a private, nonprofit organization that aims
to strengthen democratic institutions around the world, but receives
funding from the U.S. Congress.
   "AP employees must avoid any behavior or activities that create a
conflict of interest or compromise our ability to report the news fairly
and accurately," said Mike Silverman, the news agency's managing editor.
   Alexandre, who freelances for other news organizations, reported only
one story for the AP -- on the Dec. 24 killing of a U.N. peacekeeper in
Haiti -- after beginning her association with the NED. She first began
reporting for the AP in 2004.
   After another freelance journalist raised questions this week about
Alexandre and the NED, she denied she was an employee of the organization.
She said she had made trips into the Haitian countryside to establish links
between the NED and Haitian non-governmental organizations and was
reimbursed for her expenses.
   When told later that the NED confirmed her employment, she continued to
maintain she did not work for the organization.
   The NED said it was unaware when it hired Alexandre that she worked for
the AP or any other media organization.