By Kolby Solinsky
BC Local News/Black Press
The Kamloops Daily News is shutting down after 80 years in business, the newspaper announced on Monday morning. In a release, the News cited economic reasons as the cause for the publication’s closure.
“The reason for the closure is economic,” the release said, adding that the paper intends to close up for good within 60 days. “Revenues have declined and the Daily News has been unable to reduce expenses sufficiently to continue as a viable operation.”
The News’s parent company, Glacier Media, publishes 83 newspapers in Western Canada and 32 in British Columbia (Castanet).
Here is the statement from Daily News publisher Tim Shoults:
“Personally I am very saddened to make this announcement... We have struggled for the last several years, worked tirelessly and taken many difficult steps along the way which were designed to ensure our future. Unfortunately the realities of our industry, our local advertising market and our labour situation were too great for us to overcome.
“We recognize that this decision severely affects our staff and their families and our hearts go out to them as they deal with the shock and loss this decision creates. We are offering our staff counseling on site at the Daily News if they wish to take advantage of it.
“We have accomplished some great things along the way and have made our community a better place to live in countless ways. Over the years we have supported hundreds of community groups with millions of dollars in free advertising and helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes through our Raise a Reader and Christmas Cheer campaigns. Most importantly, we have made our community more informed and more enlightened through award-winning coverage for decades.”
Kelly Hall, the publisher of the Daily News’s competitor paper Kamloops This Week, also addressed the news on Monday:
“It was very surprising to hear of the impending closure of a great competitor in the Kamloops Daily News. Media in general are challenged on a daily basis. You have to look closely at your business model and you have to move quickly when you are faced with challenges.
“The Daily News has been a strong community partner and will be missed. I feel for the employees and their families as they go through this sad time.
“Over the years, we have been very competitive in all aspects of gathering news and providing a viable option for readers and advertisers. You will continue to see Kamloops This Week grow along with our community.”