This is a puff piece. They are always a bit icky, but they're common and I don't think you'll find any outlet of renown that doesn't succumb to these from time

This is a puff piece. They are always a bit icky, but they're common and I don't think you'll find any outlet of renown that doesn't succumb to these from time to time. In this case, it reads like their way of stroking their benefactors egos a bit, but without promising them anything real in return. FTA: "AP often needs to educate funders upon first approach, explaining the company’s worldwide reach and mission to report independently. AP accepts money to cover certain areas but without strings attached; the funders have no influence on the stories that are done, Carovillano said."