Dead Tree Deathwatch: Bay State Banner on Hiatus, Globe Remains Unbought

Image of empty newspaper boxes tagged “Bostonist” by Flickr user ptite_vivie The Phoenix’s Adam Reilly relayed the news last night that Boston’s Afro-centric weekly has suspended publication . The obvious cause—declining ad revenues—was not the only motivation that publisher Melvin Miller cited when confirming the closure: I’m of an age where I think it’s appropriate for a younger generation to come up and start running the Banner…For 44 years I’ve been running the Banner, so people think I can do it from my grave. For the time being—Miller leaves open the possibility that the paper will resume printing—a vital voice in the Boston chorus will remain silent. Mayoral dark horse candidate Kevin McCrea wondered aloud in the Phoenix’s comments if Menino is to blame. The paper is for sale, if you want to

get into the lucrative business of dead tree journalism, and Bostonist hopes that a new voice for Boston’s black community can rise from its ashes. Also on the block: The Boston Globe. The deadline for bids to buy the paper, originally set for July 8, has been postponed, according to the Globe . The probable cause? An upcoming union vote that will determine the employment contracts that any potential buyer will inherit. An interesting twist to the deal: Even if the New York Times sells the beleaguered paper, it will still keep $200 million of pension liability—a necessary concession to attract potential buyers. A new deadline for opening bids has not been set.

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Dead Tree Deathwatch: Bay State Banner on Hiatus, Globe Remains Unbought