A blow to Caribbean democracy as Stabroek News and Newsday papers fold after social media shift

Posted Monday, March 16, 2026 9:41 am

Dánica Coto, Anselm Gibbs and Bert Wilkinson | The Associated Press

SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) — Growing up in Trinidad and Tobago, Carlon Augustus remembers reading the newspapers his grandparents bought daily. Now 32, he says he turns to social media for the latest news.

For him, it’s about getting news in real time.

“Everything is on social media now. Whatever happens today, you don’t have to wait to get the papers tomorrow,” he said.

Media owners point to shifting reading habits like Augustus’ as the primary reason two legacy newspapers have folded in the Caribbean so far this year: Guyana’s Stabroek News and Trinidad and Tobago’s Newsday.

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A blow to Caribbean democracy as Stabroek News and Newsday papers fold after social media shift

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