News Summary
Five newspapers in Arizona, including the Arizona Silverbelt and Gateway to Copper Corridor, have closed due to financial issues faced by News Media Corp. This trend reflects a broader decline in local journalism across the U.S., with significant implications for community engagement and access to information. The closures come as part of an unfortunate pattern impacting numerous states, raising alarms about the future health of local news outlets and their critical role in informing communities.
Arizona has experienced a significant blow to local journalism as five newspapers abruptly closed their doors due to financial problems faced by their publisher, News Media Corp. The decision impacts not only the Globe and Page areas but also reflects a troubling trend across multiple states, with over two dozen newspapers ceasing operations.
The affected Arizona newspapers include:
- Gateway to Copper Corridor (Globe)
- Arizona Silverbelt (Globe)
- Copper Country News (Globe)
- Lake Powell Chronicle (Page)
- Gateway to Canyon Country (Page)
News Media Corp. announced that the closures would take effect on August 6, marking the end of these publications’ contributions to their communities. The implications of these shutdowns extend beyond Arizona and have reached states such as Wyoming, Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota, signaling a further decline in the media landscape.
J.J. Tompkins, CEO of News Media Corp., described the decision to close the newspapers as “difficult,” citing the company’s exploration of numerous options to maintain operations and retain staff. Ultimately, the firm could not continue due to several key factors, including:
- Ongoing financial challenges
- The economic downturn adversely affecting the media sector
- Significant revenue losses coupled with rising expenses
- An unsuccessful attempt to sell the company as a viable business
Bob Hembree, a reporter from the Lake Powell Chronicle, expressed surprise and bewilderment over the swift announcement of the closures, which caught staff off guard. The sudden loss of local newspapers raises concerns about their critical role in providing essential information to small towns.
As of August 8, the websites for some of the closed papers, such as Gateway to Canyon Country and Gateway to Copper Corridor, were no longer accessible. Meanwhile, the websites for the Arizona Silverbelt, Copper Country News, and Lake Powell Chronicle remained online, though phone calls to their published numbers resulted in busy signals, indicating a significant disruption in communications.
Among the closed publications, the Arizona Silverbelt held historical significance, having been in circulation since 1878—signaling the termination of nearly 150 years of operation. This loss is emblematic of a larger national crisis affecting the journalism landscape, where over one-third of all U.S. print newspapers and two-thirds of newspaper journalists have vanished since 2004.
Experts and community leaders continue to voice concerns regarding the implications of losing local newspapers, asserting that it hampers civic engagement and accountability from local governmental bodies. The loss of these outlets may lead to the creation of news deserts in rural areas, effectively diminishing the capacity for communities to stay well-informed and engaged.
In addition to the newspaper closures, this trend is exacerbated by reduced funding for public broadcasting, further straining information resources in localities that rely heavily on these channels for news and community updates.
Amid these closures, Tompkins reassured stakeholders that the company would make reasonable attempts to ensure employees receive their earned compensation, as permitted by the company’s secured lenders. Despite these efforts, the overarching reality paints a stark picture of the challenges facing local journalism and the vital role these institutions play in sustaining informed communities.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- AZ Central: Arizona Newspapers Shut Down
- Tucson Sentinel: Globe Newspapers Closing
- Copper Courier: Arizona Rural Hospitals
- The Globe and Mail: Closure of Weekly Newspaper
- Tucson.com: State and Regional Business News
- Wikipedia: Journalism
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Journalism
- Google Search: Newspaper Closures Arizona
Author: STAFF HERE PHOENIX WRITER
PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
