Two MAJOR Newspaper Giants Dropping The Associated Press, Is The AP In Major Trouble?

Let me start by saying that the internet exists. In the age of the internet, wire services are useless. Blockchain technology, fiber optic cable, social media, and mobile devices all make this possible.

The world simply has not caught on to this new reality yet—history happens to us faster than we can process it.

Two major newspaper conglomerates have announced that they are ditching the Associated Press and switching to a more modern form of news reporting.

Both Gannett, the group behind USA Today, and McClatchy Publishing have announced that they will no longer utilize the Associated Press to cut costs.

This represents yet another blow to the failing mainstream media. How can these massive, bloated firms continue to operate in the age of mass, decentralized content? Here’s what is currently being reported:

Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in the country, announced it will stop using content from The Associated Press. Then McClatchy announced it will stop using some AP services next month.https://t.co/6ixsCpkXbM

— Poynter (@Poynter) March 20, 2024

BREAKING: Gannett, the United States' largest newspaper chain and publisher of USA Today, announced it will no longer utilize fake news from The Associated Press (@AP), ending a partnership that has lasted over a century. This decision, according to Gannett, is aimed at further…

— LivePDDave 🇺🇸 (@LivePDDave1) March 19, 2024

Ironically, The Associated Press reports:

Like most newspaper companies, Gannett and McClatchy have been struggling financially for several years.

Gannett’s workforce shrank 47% between 2020 and 2023 because of layoffs and attrition, according to the NewsGuild.

The company also hasn’t earned a full-year profit since 2018, according to data provided by FactSet. Since then, it has lost $1.03 billion.

Mark Jacob offered a different perspective: “Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain, is dropping Associated Press stories in a further attempt to save money by giving its readers less. Newspaper chains are racing to the bottom.”

Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain, is dropping Associated Press stories in a further attempt to save money by giving its readers less.
Newspaper chains are racing to the bottom. https://t.co/jtLaPQRCkm

— Mark Jacob (@MarkJacob16) March 19, 2024

Of course Gannett sees the Associated Press as an unnecessary expense.

Gannett is not journalism.

— Ashton Pittman (@ashtonpittman) March 20, 2024

According to The Washington Post:

In memos to staff and public statements, executives with both companies described it as a cost-saving move — in the “millions” of dollars, according to McClatchy brass — and said they will have no trouble filling the news gap.

“We create more journalism every day than the AP,” Gannett executive Kristin Roberts said in a Tuesday memo.