Statement by House Committees of the SMH, Age and AFR

We are deeply concerned about the announcement today by Australian Associated Press to shut its editorial operations across the country, resulting in the loss of least 180 reporters, sub-editors, photographers and other editorial roles.

The closure of the newswire service represents a further hollowing out of the Australian media industry.

AAP has been integral to journalism in this country for 85 years, covering courts, politics, sports and general news. It has journalists in Darwin, Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Hobart, Wellington, Los Angeles and London.

The loss of another voice in the media landscape will be felt especially hard in regional and rural areas, which depend on AAP for coverage of national and international affairs.

We particularly feel for the individuals and families who will be directly impacted by this decision, and call on the Australian government to stop the erosion of diversity in the media industry and for the owners of AAP to reconsider their decision to close the news service.

– On behalf of the house committees of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and The Australian Financial Review