Associated Press Layoffs: The Associated Press announced it will reduce its workforce by 8 per cent through a mix of voluntary buyouts and layoffs. AP President Daisy Veerasingham shared the decision with staff as the organisation seeks to navigate ongoing challenges in the media industry. Veerasingham emphasised that these complex changes were necessary to ensure the AP’s long-term sustainability and allow for continued investment in its future.
The Guardian reported that the Associated Press's President also acknowledged the challenges posed by the ongoing transformation in the media industry. She told employees that, in response to these changes, the agency must better meet the evolving needs of its audience. To that end, she explained, AP is prioritising a "digital-first" approach to news delivery and accelerating its efforts to adapt to this new reality.
Daisy Veerasingham further explained that the Associated Press would focus on modernising its products and operations, which would involve eliminating certain positions. As a result, 8 per cent of the company's workforce would be affected, with fewer than half of the reductions impacting the news division.
The company will offer a voluntary separation plan to a select group of employees based on factors such as department, role, and tenure. Those not eligible for the buyout will be laid off. According to reports, AP plans to extend buyout offers to 121 employees.
In her email, Daisy Veerasingham acknowledged that the decision would be difficult for many employees and that uncertainty would linger as the organisation navigates these changes. She stressed that evolving an organisation is never easy but essential for the agency’s future. Veerasingham explained that the layoffs were part of the Associated Press’s efforts to adapt to shifting customer needs and to position itself as a leader in transforming the media industry.
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