In a cost-cutting measure that could make their newspapers even less desirable, Gannett will no longer use Associated Press content.
The loss of AP news and photos will take effect on March 25, one week before some newspapers, including the Asbury Park Press, are raising the cost of a digital subscription from $14.99 to $19.99, an increase of more than 33%.
“This decision enables us to invest further in our newsrooms and leverage our incredible USA TODAY Network of more than 200 newsrooms across the nation, as well as USA TODAY, to reach and engage more readers, viewers, and listeners,” Gannett said in a statement posted online by New York Times media reporter Ben Mullin, who first reported the news.
In a memo obtained by Mullin, Gannett Chief Content Officer Kristin Roberts said the “shift will give us the opportunity to redeploy more dollars.”
But Mike Davis, an Asbury Park Press reporter, disputed Roberts’ notion that terminating a longtime partnership with the Associated Press will somehow improve local journalism.
“Our newsroom has 4 rank-and-file jobs (~13% staff) open, some for nearly 2 years. Meanwhile, Gannett raised our metric ‘goals,’ and expects us to meet them with less people,” Davis said on social media. “If you believe they’re actually going to hire journalists with AP savings, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.”
In New Jersey, Gannett operates nine daily newspapers: The (Bergen) Record, New Jersey Herald, Daily Record, Courier-Post, Home News Tribune, Burlington County Times, Courier News, Daily Journal, and the Asbury Park Press.