AP to Cut Workforce by 8% Amid Digital Shift

The Associated Press (AP) is implementing an 8% reduction in its workforce through voluntary buyouts and layoffs as part of a strategy to transition to a digital-first organization. This decision reflects broader challenges in the media industry, including economic pressures and changing customer needs, prompting AP to modernize its operations. Though the exact number of affected employees is unclear, less than half of the cuts will impact the news division, primarily within the United States. AP has reached a tentative agreement with the News Media Guild to extend voluntary buyouts to unionized staff, subject to ratification. The organization aims to reinvest savings from these reductions to enhance its digital capabilities, which proved crucial during the 2024 U.S. elections. These measures are in line with efforts by other media companies facing similar economic constraints and declining advertising revenues.