<
https://theconversation.com/why-the-pittsburgh-post-gazettes-closure-exposes-a-growing-threat-to-democracy-272992>
"The
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette announced on Jan. 7, 2026, that it will cease
all operations effective May 3. The daily newspaper, founded in 1786, has been
the city’s paper of record for nearly a century and is one of the oldest
newspapers in the country.
Block Communications, the company that owns the
Post-Gazette, says the paper
has lost “hundreds of millions of dollars” during the past two decades. The
shuttering of the
Post-Gazette comes after a three-year strike by newspaper
employees who were asking management for better wages and working conditions.
The strike ended in November 2025 after an appellate court ruled in favor of
the union workers. The
Post-Gazette was found to have violated federal labor
law by cutting health care benefits and failing to bargain in good faith. Then,
on Jan. 7, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the paper, stating that the
Post-Gazette was required to adjust its health insurance coverage for union
members. Hours later, Block Communications announced that the paper would shut
down.
Victor Pickard, an expert on the U.S. media and its role in democracy, was born
and raised just outside Pittsburgh. He talked to Cassandra Stone,
The
Conversation U.S. Pittsburgh editor, about what the closing means for local
journalism and democracy."
Via Kenny Chaffin.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
