So API suddenly wants to charge for news services. Why? For control?
Here is my 2 cents.
Previously, most of the media was paid because they were CIA. If their funds were cut, they can no longer afford to pay exorbitant salaries.
They can't afford to exist now UNLESS they can get the money to pay their employees. They had government handouts and were using CIA money to pay them. That is gone or significantly reduced and they are going bankrupt.
This latest API thing is just a way to get money.