Why the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s closure exposes a growing threat to democracy

When reputable local news outlets close, fewer people vote and get involved in local politics, and misinformation, corruption and polarization increase.

By: Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 9, 2026

Words: 960

Last Updated: 6 days, 14 hours ago

Body Text Preview

By Victor Pickard, University of Pennsylvania

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 …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.
Register for Free Log in