Twenty US video production roles are being cut as AP shifts work to India. Union leaders warn of risks to coverage quality. Additional layoffs in photo and London video teams are planned.
The Associated Press eliminates 20 US-based video production positions, transferring those roles to a new hub in Noida, India. The News Media Guild, representing affected staff, confirmed the layoffs are scheduled for Friday, with union leaders voicing concerns about the impact on the quality and depth of US news coverage.
Alongside the US cuts, AP is targeting 10 photo editors in the US and 10 video production staff in London for future layoffs, though specific dates remain unannounced. Union representatives highlighted that many of those losing their jobs have decades of experience and deep regional expertise, raising questions about whether new hires in India will be able to match their knowledge of American news and public records processes.
AP executive editor Julie Pace previously informed staff that the company would establish a centralized global production hub in Noida, aiming to expand both video and photo capabilities. In her internal communication, Pace described India as a vibrant, digital-first media market and noted that AP has already tested hiring for production roles there. She also referenced the broader trend of international news organizations, including Bloomberg, expanding their presence in India, where Bloomberg has increased its staff by 30% over the past three years.
Union leaders said the company has not provided clear details on how US-based journalists will coordinate with the new India-based team. They emphasized that video and photo production staff do more than edit content-they interact with field journalists, apply subject-matter expertise, and often source user-generated or official footage, requiring familiarity with US laws and context. The union warned that replacing experienced US staff with new hires unfamiliar with these processes could jeopardize the accuracy and reliability of AP’s visual journalism.
AP spokesperson Patrick Maks reiterated that the new hub is intended to increase production capacity and improve speed and quality, noting that over 80% of AP’s current output is visual. Maks emphasized AP’s global footprint, with staff in nearly 100 countries, including a longstanding presence in India.
Since 2022, AP has doubled its number of US-based video journalists working in the field, a group not affected by the current layoffs. After the cuts, only a small number of US video production staff will remain, primarily those covering specialized beats. The union said the layoffs will remove most of the team responsible for handling the majority of US news video production.
AP’s reputation for award-winning photography, including 36 Pulitzer Prizes, is at stake, according to union leaders, who argue that the layoffs could undermine the organization’s standards. They pointed out that production staff must be able to vet and verify images and footage, ensuring authenticity and proper attribution-tasks that require deep contextual knowledge.
The latest round of layoffs follows a series of workforce reductions at AP since 2024, when the company cut about 8% of its global staff. The News Media Guild reports a loss of roughly 150 members due to layoffs and buyouts, with 40 staff taking buyouts and 20 more laid off earlier this year. For further insight into how technology is reshaping editorial workflows, see this analysis of AI’s impact on newsroom operations.
Founded in 1846, The Associated Press is a not-for-profit news cooperative with a global workforce. As of 2026, AP operates in nearly 100 countries and is recognized for its extensive visual journalism, having won dozens of Pulitzer Prizes for photography. The organization continues to adapt its production strategies in response to industry changes and cost pressures.
