The Associated Press has spent countless hours and lots of ink trying to convince you that the Trump campaign colluded with the Russians. Turns out it may be the AP that is playing footsie with the enemy—and not the Russians, but the Chinese.

The Washington Post says the government-run media in China is expanding, and so is the effort to influence the worldview of China, while at the same time limiting what the Chinese people actually know of the outside world.

The Post says the AP has signed on as a media partner with the Communist President Xi Jinping state media. How's that for collusion?

Some in Congress are concerned that the arrangement could unwittingly or otherwise influence the AP's independent journalism by making it a propaganda machine for Xi, and are calling on the wire service to be careful.

The Associated Press is a very powerful and influential news organization. Electronic and print media outlets routinely broadcast and reprint AP stories without ever giving it a second thought. That in and of itself is dangerous, but knowing the AP has joined forces with our most significant rival is enough to send a chill up your spine.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. 

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