Gannett, McClatchy Drop AP News

The Gannett and McClatchy news chains, publishers of more than 230 outlets including USA Today and the Miami Herald, have said they will stop using journalism from the Associated Press amid continued financial pressures for the news industry.

The Gannett shift marks the end of a relationship that has spanned over a hundred years.

“This move allows for increased investment in our own news operations,” stated Gannett’s Lark-Marie Anton. Gannett’s vast network, consisting of over 200 newspapers, accounts for the largest collection in the AP’s US membership base.

According to UBJ.com citing a memo from Gannett’s head of content, Kristin Roberts, which The Associated Press received and The New York Times first reported on, the company’s editors will discontinue the use of AP’s written reports, videos, and pictures as of March 25th.

Lauren Easton, a spokesperson for The Associated Press, expressed surprise and disappointment at the decision and noted that discussions with Gannett were positively ongoing. Easton held out hope that Gannett might still support AP post their membership term, which concludes at the end of 2024.

Gannett did not disclose the financial details of their arrangement with AP.

The media giant has stated that it struck a deal with Reuters to get access to global news content across formats including video, a strategic move according to Roberts to expand the audience for their journalism work.