SIOUX FALLS, S.D.—They cover deadly plane crashes, take readers to the aftermath of natural disasters and report results of intense political races.
Amid the bulletins streaming out of printers at the Associated Press bureau and the watchful eyes glaring at computer screens, one cheerful smile emerged to greet visiting American Indian Journalism Institute students June 6.
"South Dakota cares about each of its citizens," said Tena Haraldson, bureau chief for both North and South Dakota. "We cover everything from basketball games to accidents. It's what our audience wants."
At the AP bureau in Sioux Falls, the technological revolution in news gathering is evident from the sight of an old AP "wire" machine in the hallway. Inside the newsroom were its replacements: countless computers and television sets.
The Internet "is changing the way we receive news, and we need to be sure it's balanced," Haraldson said.
The AP, founded in 1848, is the backbone of the world's news information system. In the United States alone, AP serves 5,000 radio and television stations and 1,700 newspapers, according to its Web site. Add to that the 8,500 newspaper, radio and television subscribers in 121 countries overseas, and you'll have some idea of AP's reach.