The Associated Press, a prominent global news organization has removed a controversial tweet that sparked a discussion on Twitter. The now-deleted post about an NFT video that features traveling migrants at sea has immediately caught fire in the social media space.
AP Removes Tweet About NFT Drop of Migrants at Sea
As The Daily Beast's Justin Baragona spotted on Twitter, the screenshot of the "since-deleted" NFT tweet appears to be dropping on the AP Photography NFT Marketplace.
Baragona said in a follow-up tweet that an AP spokeswoman spoke about the sensational NFT clip of an overcrowded migrant raft.
The Associated Press has deleted that tweet advertising the NFT offer of "migrants drifting in an overcrowded boat in the Mediterranean" that sparked overwhelming backlash.
— Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) February 24, 2022
I've reached out to the AP for comment on the tweet and the understandable outrage it caused.
According to the publication's representative, it was only a "poor choice of imagery for an NFT." This means that it will not be placed for auction. In addition, the spokeswoman added that the NFT marketplace of AP is considered to be a "very early pilot program." With that, they now immediately evaluate their efforts regarding this.
How AP Responds to the NFT Backlash
In another post, photographer and journalist Tony Webster posted a series of tweets that Associated Press staff Brian wrote on the official Discord channel.
Many people questioned if the news organization asked for consent before publishing its content. Others said that the publication was not aware of the "ethical" policies in selling NFTs.
According to the staff, all photographers are consulted in the project which means that they also participated in this venture.
"We have multiple across the AP talking through the selections including our journalists. We see a world where photojournalism NFTs have a place. And that place helps AP with our overall mission - to inform the world. The video is part of a bigger story and we realized to do a better job at telling it," the staff added.
Regarding questions about selling NFTs of the migrant video, the staff clarified that all proceeds that AP will make will be going to the journalism funding. He also said that the organization is a non-profit.
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NFT Proceeds to Go on Charity
To add, a portion will reportedly go to the photographers who will receive a percentage on both primary and future sales.
Webster dropped another tweet that shows the chat post of the AP's Director of Global Technical Engagement on Discord. According to this, the clip is all about the rescue of migrants.
Felipe Dana was reportedly the photojournalist behind this controversial NFT video. This award-winning photographer covered the story and this explains why they wore life jackets.
Regarding the NFT sales that Associated Press will collect, the director said that photographers will get a 12 to 60% cut of the sale. The money will be given in cryptocurrency, per Webster.
For instance, the AP staff exemplified the case of a photographer who already passed away. The director said that for this incident, they sought approval from their families and allowed them to choose a charity where the NFT proceeds will go.
Speaking of photojournalism NFTs, Engadget reported last month that AP officially announced this venture. It reportedly launched last Jan. 31.
In other news, Tech Times wrote in its recent article that the value of Bitcoin dropped to more than 6% amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
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Written by Joseph Henry
