Aberdeen Publishing announced the suspension of two of their publications yesterday, April 2, 2020, the Oliver Chronicle and the Osoyoos Times. The newspapers will conitnue to publish online editions.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED /Oliver Chronicle Facebook page
April 03, 2020 - 2:20 PM
The COVID-19 pandemic has cost the print editions of two South Okanagan newspapers.
The Oliver Chronicle and the Osoyoos Times have suspended their print editions until further notice. Aberdeen publishing, owner of the two papers, printed final editions Thursday.
Oliver Chronicle editor Lyonel Doherty said today, April 3, the company’s Peachland View will continue with its print edition.
Doherty says the decision was a financial one, due to significant negative impacts on advertising revenue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“People have reduced business and some aren’t even operating, so they aren’t advertising. That was the primary reason,” Doherty says.
Seven people have been laid off as a result of the suspension, but Doherty says remaining staff continue to work, gathering information for the online editions.
"I never thought I would see the day that a virus would basically shut down nearly every country in the world. It’s straight out of a sci-fi movie that you would see on TV," Doherty said.
"I’ve been trying hard lately to find some good news to print about the pandemic, and I’ve had some success which readers really appreciate. We will get through this.”
He said plans are to resurrect the print edition at some time in the future adding subscribers will have a credit when the paper resumes.
The Oliver Chronicle has been in printing a newspaper for 85 years.
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