AP plans to be in Newtown on anniversary of school shooting, despite gov't officials' wishes

After government officials in Newtown, Conn., publicly asked the national news media to stay away from the city as it mourns the anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings, several outlets have committed to honoring the request.

Not the Associated Press, according to Erik Wemple at the Washington Post. They plan on being there Saturday:

“We will be in Newtown on the anniversary,” noted AP spokesman Paul Colford in an e-mail. AP East Region Editor Karen Testa explained, “We have covered every aspect of this tragedy from the beginning. As we have from the day of the shooting, we will be sensitive to the families and the town and respectful in our coverage.”

CNN, the New York Times, USA Today, NBC and ABC also plan on either staying away from Newtown or covering it in minimalist ways.