The Associated Press has cut 60 editorial staff through a combination of voluntary buyouts and layoffs, completing a restructuring that began in April as the news cooperative shifts away from local print journalism toward digital-first and video operations.
The reductions represent the final phase of a broader cost-cutting effort announced in early 2026. In April, the AP offered buyouts to U.S.-based journalists as part of a plan to reduce global news staff by less than 5 percent. The initiative reflected a strategic pivot toward national coverage and video content, away from hyper-local newspaper support that had long been central to the AP’s business model.
By May 15, the AP had implemented the first round of layoffs, cutting 20 U.S.-based journalists. That same month, the news organization announced plans to develop a centralized production hub in India to increase video and photo capabilities while reducing U.S.-based visual production staff. Executive Editor Julie Pace said at the time that the move would allow the AP to “invest more fully in our future” and that the organization must be “intentional about where and how we invest.”
The AP’s restructuring reflects broader upheaval across the news industry in 2026. According to Press Gazette’s tracking of journalism job cuts, major outlets have announced significant reductions this year. The Washington Post cut one-third of its staff in February, while the BBC announced plans to cut about 2,000 jobs—roughly one in ten staff members. Buzzfeed cut roughly one-third of its remaining staff following its takeover by businessman Byron Allen, affecting around 180 employees across the company.
The news industry has faced sustained pressure from declining newspaper readership and advertising revenue as audiences shift to digital platforms and social media. The AP’s customers are now dominated by broadcast and digital outlets rather than print newspapers, a shift that has accelerated the organization’s move away from local print support.
When the AP first announced its restructuring in April, the news cooperative said the changes would mostly affect its U.S. news team. The organization, which has operated as a cooperative since its founding in 1846, is now allocating resources toward platforms where its customers are concentrated: broadcast networks, digital news sites, and social media channels.
Sources
- Press Gazette — confirmed AP reduced editorial staff by 60 people through buyouts and layoffs as of August 4, 2026; tracked journalism job cuts across the industry
- Associated Press — reported May 15, 2026 layoff of 20 U.S.-based journalists as part of restructuring announced April 6
- New York Times media reporter Ben Mullin — reported July 2, 2026 that AP plans to cut up to 30 people and develop production hub in India
- Reuters — reported April 6, 2026 that AP would cut less than 5 percent of global news staff
- Washington Post — reported February 4, 2026 that it cut one-third of staff; reported May 15, 2026 on AP layoffs
