February 21, 2015

Sign of the journalistic times

Buffalo News - After more than 121 years, The Buffalo News is no longer a member of the Associated Press.

It is a bittersweet parting. The AP is one of the world’s largest news organizations and a fierce defender of press freedom. For decades, it has been the backbone of our national and foreign report. If it moves, the AP covers it. images But the news marketplace is changing. Thanks to the explosion of the Internet and smartphones and social media, the daily newspaper must fast become something different. What happened yesterday – the bread and butter of the Associated Press report – is old news by the time the newspaper lands on your doorstep. The newspaper of the 21st century must have more perspective, more behind-the-scenes reports, more stories that knit a dozen disparate elements into a bigger picture.

The economics of the news business are also changing. Thanks to the rapid growth of BuffaloNews.com, The News reaches more people than ever. But the cost of publishing the newspaper and building a new digital business means we must make choices. The AP has historically been nearly 5 percent of The News’ news budget. Given the changes in the marketplace, it makes sense to use that money differently.

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