The Associated Press

The Associated Press, commonly known as AP, is a global news agency founded in 1846 by six New York newspapers: The New York Sun, New York Herald, New York Courier and Enquirer, The New York Times & Commercial Advertiser, The Journal of Commerce, and The New York Evening Express. It later changed its name to the Associated Press. AP is the largest news agency in the United States and one of the oldest news agencies in the world. Its mission is to provide timely, accurate, and comprehensive news coverage to help the public understand important events and trends happening worldwide. Headquartered in New York, AP has 243 bureaus and offices across 120 countries and regions, employing approximately 4,000 journalists and photographers.

AP is a nonprofit cooperative organization owned and operated by its member newspapers and broadcast stations. It currently has over 1,200 member organizations globally, including newspapers, television station, radio stations, and online media from the United States and other countries.

Development History:

1. 1846: AP's predecessor, Harbor News Association, was founded by the six New York newspapers.
2. 1892: The New York Associated Press and Western Associated Press merged to form the Illinois Associated Press with headquarters in Chicago.
3. 1898: The Illinois Associated Press lost a lawsuit and had to provide news release to any customer without discrimination.
4. 1900: The Illinois Associated Press dissolved and re-established as the Associated Press in New York with the circumvention of Illinois state laws.
5. 1900-1945: AP became a nonprofit cooperative owned by its member media.
6. 1945-present: After World War II, AP expanded its overseas operations, establishing multiple bureaus and offices worldwide.

Customer Base:

1. Newspapers: It caters to newspapers across the globe, ranging from national dailies to local publications. Mainly for newspapers around the country, from the national big report to local newspapers are important partners.
2. Television and Broadcast Media: AP provides news content and coverage to major television and broadcast media, including TV networks, radio stations, and cable TV networks.
3. Online Media: With the development of the Internet, network media has become an important customer group of AP. Including news websites, online news platforms, social media platforms that provide news coverage and information to online users through subscriptions or licensed use of AP's news content.
4. News Agencies and Content Providers: Other news agencies, content providers and information service providers are also AP customers.
5. Corporations and Institutions: Some businesses and institutions are also AP customers and need to keep abreast of news developments around the world in order to make business decisions or make strategic plans.

Business Scope:

1. News Reporting: AP delivers objective, accurate, and timely news reporting in various formats, such as text, images, videos, and audio, covering politics, economics, society, culture, and sports.
2. Corporate Services: AP offers customized news services for companies and organizations, including press release distribution, media monitoring, brand communication, and crisis management, to connect businesses with target audiences and customers.
3. Educational Resources: AP provides educational resources for teachers and students through its website and mobile apps, including news materials, curriculum design, and interactive activities.