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AUSTRALIA-MEDIA-MASS-MEDIA
Australia’s national newswire to close
SYDNEY, March 3, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Australia’s only national newswire will
close after 85 years in operation, with staff told Tuesday their jobs will
come to an end in June.
Australian Associated Press’ closure was announced at a staff meeting in
the company’s headquarters in Sydney, with chief executive Bruce Davidson
describing it as a sad day.
“AAP has been a critical part of journalism in Australia since 1935, and it
is tragic that it will come to an end,” Davidson said.
The newswire will close at the end of June while its subediting business
Pagemasters is set to close at the end of August.
In a statement, the company’s closure was attributed to the “unprecedented
impact” of digital platforms taking content and distributing it for free.
“We have reached the point where it is no longer viable to continue,” the
statement said. Staff were told between 30 and 50 jobs would be made
available at the company’s two major shareholders Nine and News Corp
Australia. Up to 180 people currently work in editorial at AAP.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1016 hrs