atadams - 9:25 pm on Apr 10, 2003 (gmt 0)

If Microsoft release an important press release about their new version of Windows, this is clearly news that people will be interested in. If Google gets it straight from the horse's mouth, then what's the problem? It doesn't mean it's not news because it doesn't come from a recognised news organisation.

The problem is that it doesn't mean it is news either. To present press releases as "news" is wrought with dangers. That's why real news organization use human beings to apply some level of editorial decision-making on press releases and, if decided to publish the information, to present it with some balance, if necessary.