Gannett is closing at least 19 print weekly newspapers serving at least 26 communities in Eastern Massachusetts, according to notices posted on those papers’ websites. In addition, nine weeklies are being merged into four.
“Local newspapers aren’t dying. They’re dead,” wrote Greg Reibman, president of the Charles River Regional Chamber and a former journalist at Gannett’s predecessor company, GateHouse Media.
The closings were announced with the same boilerplate language claiming that Gannett is committed to a bright digital future in which local news will covered better than ever, children will play and every puppy will find a home. For instance, here’s a portion of the announcement published in the Bedford Minuteman:
This business decision reaffirms The Bedford Minuteman’s commitment to the sustainable future of local news. The Bedford Minuteman and its parent company, Gannett, understand many readers value and depend upon the news and information they find weekly in their print products. The company’s focus on digital news presentation helps ensure continued delivery of valuable community journalism and effective platforms for advertisers.
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