Newspapers at the BPL: Massachusetts News Industry
Local News Matters
Reading the local news is closely linked to civic engagement
A study by Gallup and the Knight Foundation exploring media trends shows this as summarized in this Medium article and shows why the future of journalism is so important to democracy. People who read and watch local news are more likely to take part in important community issues, and 81% are more likely to participate in local elections.
Massachusetts Newspaper History
- The first American newspaper published in Massachusetts: Publick Occurrences on Sept 25, 1690
- The oldest newspaper still being published in Massachusetts: Daily Hampshire Gazette which was founded in 1786 in Northampton
- The first American newspaper to publish 7 days a week was the Boston Daily Globe, Oct. 30, 1832 (precursor to the current Boston Globe)
Local News Industry commentary
Keep up with the latest commentary and opinion in the local news landscape:
- DigBoston (ca 2009 to present) Boston's alternative weekly magazine covering arts, entertainment, events, and more which often carries editorials and reports on the local news environment
- Media Nation Blog written by Dan Kennedy, professor of journalism at Northeastern University, a panelist on WGBH 2's Beat the Press and former media critic for the Boston Phoenix
Massachusetts News Coverage
State of local newspapers in Massachusetts in 2023 from the Northwestern University Local News Initiative
The traditional newspaper industry is in crisis and locked in a struggle with digital media. The Center for Innovation and Sustainability in Local News at the University of North Carolina gives an overview of the state of Massachusetts newspapers circa 2019 here in their News Deserts and Ghost Newspapers: Will Local News Survive project, including what newspapers still exist, where they are, who owns them.
Defunct Massachusetts Newspapers since 2000
Boston Phoenix, 1966 - 2013
Jewish Advocate (1902 - 2020) Notice in Forward; Notice in Jewish Exponent
- Malden Evening News, 1880 - 2017
- Marlboro Enterprise, 1889 - 2021
- Medford Daily Mercury, 1880 - 2017
- Metro Boston, 2001 - Jan 2020
North End Waterfront (2009 - Jan 2021) Universal Hub notice; Interview with publisher Matt Conti
Worcester Sun (May 2015 - 2018) A subscription newspaper ($2/week) started by Mark Henderson and Fred Hurlbrink Jr.
Worcester Sun halts digital, print publications; Interview with Mark Henderson
List of Massachusetts newspapers that have closed or merged since 2004 compiled by the University of North Carolina, Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Local Journalism and News Associations
- Boston Institute for Non-Profit JournalismSupports the development and production of independent news.
- New England Center for Investigative ReportingNonprofit news team at WGBH News, originally founded at Boston University.
- New England First Amendment CoalitionPromotes freedom of the press and other first amendment rights; defends and expands public access to government and the work it does
- New England Newspaper & Press Association (NENPA)Professional trade organization for newspapers in the 6 New England states.
- Nieman Journalism Lab at Harvard UniversityThe Nieman Journalism Lab is an attempt to help journalism figure out its future in an Internet age. Includes complete archive of Nieman Reports back to 1947.
Massachusetts Newspaper Families
- CNHI, LLC (formerly Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc) - Andover Townsman, Gloucester Daily Times, Haverhill Gazette, Newburyport Daily News, North Andover Eagle-Tribune and Salem News
- Gatehouse Media - largest company in market, see link for list of titles. In addition to the print titles, runs the WickedLocal pages for numerous cities and towns.
- Independent Newspaper Group - Beacon Hill Times, Boston Sun, Charlestown Patriot-Bridge, Chelsea Record, East Boston Times Free Press, Everett Independent, Jamaica Plain Gazette, Lynn Journal, Mission Hill Gazette, North End Regional Review, Revere Journal and Winthrop Transcript.
- Local Town Pages - one of the largest independently owned newspaper companies in Massachusetts. Publishes 8 community newspapers in 10 towns in metrowest/metrosouth: Ashland, Franklin, Holliston, Hopedale, Medway & Millis, Natick, Norfolk & Wrentham, and Norwood
- New England Newspapers, Inc - The Berkshire Eagle, and 3 other New England newspapers
- Newspapers of New England, Inc. - Amherst Bulletin, Athol Daily News, Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton), Recorder (Greenfield), Valley Advocate (Northampton) and 3 other New Hampshire papers
- Stonebridge Press - Auburn News, Blackstone Valley Tribune, Charlton Villager, Southbridge Evening News, Spencer New Leader, Sturbridge Villager and Webster Times
- Turley Publications - 12 newspapers serving 50 communites: Agawam Advertiser News, Barre Gazette, Chicopee Register, Country Journal (Hilltowns), Holyoke Sun, Journal Register (Palmer, Monson, Brimfield, Holland, Wales), Quaboag Current, Register (Ludlow & Indian Orchard), Sentinel (Belchertown, Granby & Amherst), South Hadley Town Reminder, Ware River News and Wilbraham Hampden Times.