The Vindicator announces it will stop production
After more than a century, The Vindicator will permanently cease production.
After more than a century, The Vindicator will permanently cease production.
One hundred forty-four employees and about 250 carriers will lose their jobs on August 31, 2019, after the papers last publication.
According to The Vindicator's general manager, Mark Brown, he has been trying to find a buyer for the paper since December 2017.
"We never thought we would be in this position, being that it was in the family you didn't want to shut it down or lose it, but the only way we could see this continue is if we found another buyer," said Brown.
Brown adds that most of the revenue comes from the print product. The Vindicator will not be able to keep their website due to Google and Facebook driving down rates for advertising.
The announcement came Friday afternoon, just days after the newspaper marked its 150th anniversary. On Saturday, a letter to readers will be published by The Vindicator publisher Betty J.H. Brown Jagnow and general manager Mark Brown explaining the decision.
WFMJ is also owned by the same family that owns The Vindicator. In a letter to WFMJ employees dated June 28, Brown said the decision to shut down the newspaper would not affect the television station. "We have no plans, no intentions, no desire, no thoughts, and no interest in selling WFMJ. Period, " Brown said.
The closing comes at a time when newspapers across the country are struggling for their survival as news consumers increasingly turn to digital options for news and information.
The Vindicator's editorial page editor and Sunday columnists, Bertram de Souza, reflects on his 40-year career and how influential The Vindicator has been within the community.
"I'm losing a part of what has been my life," said de Souza. "Politically, the Sunday before an election, when we were printing at midnight, politicians and their campaign people, would line outside the old building to get the first newspaper off the press and see who we would endorse."
Columnist de Souza said that the paper's general manager, Mark Brown, supported his column no matter who it may have upset or offended.
Valley Congressman Tim Ryan recently sent out a tweet about the closing of The Vindicator saying this is a heartbreaking announcement.
This is heartbreaking. The Vindicator has been a pillar in our community, and its reporters and staff have always been unwavering in their commitment to truth and transparency.
— Congressman Tim Ryan (@RepTimRyan) June 28, 2019
Local newspapers are critical to our democracy. We need to support them.https://t.co/LuUR4HVhHF
The paper has been a fixture in the Mahoning Valley since its first issue was published on June 25th,1869.
It would eventually become the only daily newspaper in Mahoning County.
The Business Journal also commented on the recent announcement of The Vindicator's closing.
“While @TheBizJournal competes with The Vindicator for advertising dollars — as it does with all news outlets in our coverage area — we take no joy in its pending demise. Through the decades, it has covered the region in outstanding fashion,” https://t.co/riM4ECwxQD
— The Business Journal (@TheBizJournal) June 28, 2019
Originally published by James H. Odell, The Vindicator was purchased by William F. Maag, Sr. in 1887. William F. Maag, Jr., would eventually take over as editor and publisher following his father's death in 1924.
After Maag, Jr., died in 1968, his nephew, William Brown, became publisher and president until his death in 1981.
Since that time, Brown's widow, Betty J.H. Brown Jagnow, has served as publisher and president and their son, Mark Brown, has served as general manager, positions both still hold.
The Vindicator has won numerous awards for its news coverage, most recently six first-place Associated Press awards in 2019 and a total of 18 AP Media Editors Awards in 2018.
