These are external links and will open in a new windowThe Australian Associated Press news agency is closing after 85 years.During a briefing at AAP's office in Sydney, about 180 staff were told that a drop in subscribers and an increase in free online competitors meant the business was "no longer viable".They were also told that they would lose their jobs in June.The agency provided text, images and video reports on news, sport and finance to about 200 newspapers, broadcasters and websites.The news wire will close at the end of June, and its subediting business Pagemasters will close at the end of August.In a statement following the announcement, chief executive Bruce Davidson said: "This decision's been made with very heavy hearts. "You don't see our names everywhere and some people don't know who we are, but we're there when others aren't and we remain unwaveringly impartial. What … "AAP is is the backbone of journalism in Australia," she added. Hugh Marks, CEO of Nine Entertainment Co., recently announced the company planned to slash costs by AU$100 million ($65.4 million) in annual costs over three years, focusing on more profitable parts of its business, after its net profit dropped 9% in the first half of the last fiscal year. Journalists and other staff from Australian outlets protested in support of AAP The wires agency Australian Associated Press announced on Tuesday it will close in June, with 180 jobs being lost. While television and radio broadcasters receive some government support, print and online news media businesses generally do not, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission noted in a report in late 2018. The AP is also contracted to use AAP text and photos.Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, Australia’s journalists’ union, described the decision to close AAP as a “gross abandonment of responsibility by its shareholders -- Australia’s major media outlets.”“Bean-counters at the top of media organizations might think they can soldier on without AAP, but the reality is it will leave a huge hole in news coverage,” the union’s federal president, Marcus Strom, said in a statement. Image copyright EPA Image caption Journalists and other staff from Australian outlets protested in support of AAP The Australian Associated Press news agency is closing after 85 years.
(Steven Saphore/AAP Image via AP)Staff at the Australian Associated Press head office gather for an announcement in Sydney, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. But AAP Melbourne reporter Benita Kolovos described as “heartwarming” the sight of #saveAAP trending on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.“I work with the best women and men and hope I will continue to be able to,” Kolovos tweeted. "Staff were also told there would about 30 to 50 jobs available at the agency's two major shareholders, Nine and News Corp Australia.Addressing journalists in the press gallery at federal parliament, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said: "They have a wonderful history in this place, and when you have such an important institution such as AAP coming to an end, that is a matter of real concern. Staff at the Australian Associated Press head office gather for an announcement in Sydney, Tuesday, March 3, 2020. National news agency Australian Associated Press said it was closing after 85 years, blaming a decline in subscribers and free distribution of news content on digital platforms. (Steven Saphore/AAP Image via AP)Connect with the definitive source for global and local news Coronavirus: Panic buying Australians clear supermarket shelves Australia weather: 'We’ve gone from hell to high water' Australia fires: Employee brands News Corp coverage 'irresponsible' It is owned by Australian news organizations News Corp. Australia, Nine Entertainment Co., Seven West Media and Australian Community Media. "AAP was founded by media baron Keith Murdoch in 1935, and went on to become a central news source for major outlets in Australia and abroad.But after major staff cuts and the closure of the agency's New Zealand arm in 2018, speculation over the company's future was rife.In a further statement on Tuesday, the company said it had been forced to close because of the "unprecedented impact" of digital platforms, including Facebook and Google, taking content and distributing it for free.A "trade-off" may be needed in England amid a rise in cases, a scientist advising the government says. The company said it had reached the point where it was “no longer viable to continue.”“The unprecedented impact of the digital platforms that take other people’s content and distribute it for free has led to too many companies choosing to no longer use AAP’s professional service,” AAP said in a statement.