Rebranded Associated Press Organization will continue supporting journalists across New York

The New York State Associated Press Association, a nonprofit organization overseen by a volunteer board of journalists from Associated Press members across New York, is in the process of reorganizing and rebranding following the wire service's decision to no longer provide administrative support.

The AP informed the board in 2020 that it would no longer be directly involved with the association, which has provided annual free or low‐cost training and an annual journalism excellence contest for members from radio, television and print organizations. AP cited a lack of staff time for its decision.

As a result of AP's termination of its relationship with the nonprofit, the NYSAPA board made the decision to continue with its mission through a reorganization and rebranding that is ongoing. The board intends to formally change the nonprofit's name to the Journalists Association of New York.

“While the organization’s name is changing, the mission is not,” said Tena Tyler, who was elected president of the New York State Associated Press Association in 2020 as the AP announced its decision. “We have a rich tradition of supporting fact‐based journalism and the hard work being done by news organizations across the state. That work will continue through JANY.”

As a result of the timing of AP's notice, the annual excellence contest, which typically would be calling for entries in January, had to be postponed. The board hopes to resume the yearly contest after the legal process associated with the reorganization and name change is complete. The organization cannot at this juncture provide a definitive timetable for when that may happen.

In the meantime, the association will move forward with a major focus on training for new and young journalists across New York. Up first will be the planned “State of the Field Journalism Seminar” on March 6, presented with Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Members of the organization will help present a daylong seminar taking on topics such as reporting in the pandemic age, dealing with disinformation, and multiplatform storytelling. The program will finish with a panel discussion on equity and justice in race and gender at the office and in the field. The “State of the Field” program will be virtual. Registration information will be available in the next few weeks.

“I can’t say enough about the dedication and enthusiasm of this group of radio, television and print journalists,” Tyler said of the nonprofit’s board. “They are eager to carry on the vital mission of supporting journalists across New York state starting with timely and effective training.”