The Associated Press (AP) has announced the creation of a sister organization aimed at supporting state and local news reporting by raising philanthropic funding. The local news industry has faced significant challenges over the past two decades, with a drastic reduction in the number of journalists working in newspapers. As a result, the AP is looking to expand its coverage in certain subject areas and collaborate with nonprofit news outlets to help fill the gaps in local journalism.
With the decline in local news outlets, there is a growing concern about the spread of misinformation and the rise of partisan news sources. The AP believes that there is a need for independent, fact-based, and non-partisan news coverage to provide reliable information to the public. To address this need, the organization is seeking support from philanthropic organizations, diversifying its revenue streams, and promoting its news website to attract more readers.
Despite facing challenges in the industry, the AP continues to offer a range of services to support itself and the wider media landscape. This includes partnerships with organizations like the NFL for commercial photo services and collaborations with artificial intelligence companies to license its archive of news stories. The organization recognizes the importance of having a mixed portfolio of revenue streams to sustain itself in the changing media landscape.
The AP’s efforts to support local news reporting have been endorsed by leading foundations like the Knight Foundation and MacArthur Foundation, which have pledged significant funding to help build local news sources. However, the scope of the problem is still vast, and there is a need for a sustainable model for independent local news in the United States. The AP aims to play a crucial role in bolstering coverage of government and political news in the states to address the shortfall in reporting on important issues.
The AP’s president and CEO, Daisy Veerasingham, emphasizes the importance of not pulling back but leaning in to support local journalism at a time when the traditional funding model for news is no longer viable. By collaborating with other organizations and seeking philanthropic support, the AP hopes to bridge the gap in local news coverage and provide much-needed information to the public. The organization is committed to providing independent, fact-based news to readers and promoting the value of journalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
