The AP recommends this so a reporter can describe the event without casting judgement on the cause of the event. This is similar to the reason why reporters sa

The AP recommends this so a reporter can describe the event without casting judgement on the cause of the event. This is similar to the reason why reporters say things like the “alleged” robber when there were perhaps many witnesses and maybe the individual in the report even confessed to the theft. It keeps the reporter in the position of fact rather than judgement. This is important distinction for a reporter of an event. Non-reporters are not under the same requirement to maintain a position on non-judgement.