Is the Boston Globe Coming to RI to Take on the Providence Journal?

Is the Boston Globe Coming to RI to Take on the Providence Journal?

The demise of the Providence Journal seems to have sparked the interest of the Boston Globe. Sources at the Boston Globe tell GoLocal that the Boston newspaper -- the largest in New England -- is looking to open a bureau in Providence.

The Boston Globe’s editor Brian McGrory tells GoLocal, “Thanks for reaching out. We have no formal plans at the moment, but we're always scanning the landscape for opportunities. The Providence area, even all of Rhode Island, is appealing. It's a vibrant region with what we know to be a highly engaged citizenry and a lot of news.”

“[Providence] has been well covered for a long, long time, but the journalism industry pressures have taken their toll in cities of this size. So we're looking at it. But nothing concrete yet,” said McGrory.

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Sources tell GoLocal that one potential staffer who could be assigned to Providence is Globe reporter Jonathan Saltzman, who lives in Providence and was formerly a Providence Journal reporter.

The Boston Globe is owned by John Henry — the billionaire trader and owner of the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool FC. Henry bought the paper in August 2013.

It is his wife, Linda Pizzuti, who has had the greater role in the management of the Boston Globe.

Boston Globe Under Henry and Pizzuti

The Boston Globe over the past few years has recorded some successes -- and has been embroiled in a number of business failures and controversies.

The most important success realized by the Globe recently has been its ability to monetize its digital newspaper. This past fall the Globe exceeded 100,000 digital subscribers. The accomplishment puts the Globe in a small group of daily newspapers like the New York Times and the Washington Post to reach a significant number of paid digital subscribers.

However, under Henry and Pizzuti, there have been a number of controversies. The Globe has slashed staff in the newsroom, changed over the management team a number of times, and is presently in an ongoing union battle.

The Globe’s union issued a statement in December which criticized ownership that said, “During negotiations for a new contract with the Guild, the company has presented a ridiculous and draconian proposal that would strip away essential protections and provisions in the contract like overtime, seniority, pay scales, job descriptions, severance as well as limit the time and scope of issues members can grieve and  arbitrate, and more. The paltry offer of 2 percent raises, an increase to 401k and paid parental leave (by reducing sick time for everyone) is frankly insulting.”

The Globe also has had significant and ongoing problems with printing the paper -- as well as other papers it was contracted to print. One of the dissatisfied printing customers was the Boston Herald — the newspaper canceled their contract and switched to the Providence Journal’s printing facility as a result of the press issues and to cut costs.

And, most embarrassingly, the Globe’s star Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Kevin Cullen was suspended in June 2018 for three months for fabricating facts in a story.

The controversy centered on remarks Cullen made about the Boston Marathon bombings.  Cullen was a member of the Globe team that won the Pulitzer Prize for their coverage of the terror attack. It was found that his comments were false.

As GoLocal previously reported in April, allegations raised on the WEEI radio show “Kirk & Callahan” against Cullen were validated when the paper announced that it was placing him on paid administrative leave, prior to the suspension.

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Potential Expansion During a Time of Contraction

The potential of the Globe entering the Providence market would be a zig -- when almost every newspaper and many national digital media companies are zagging -- and making major cuts. 

On Friday, Vice announced 250 layoffs and according to Poynter, “McClatchy CEO Craig Forman sent an email Friday to about 10 percent of the newspaper chain’s employees, offering voluntary buyouts. The 10 percent represents about 450 employees.”

McClatchy’s financial troubles seem overwhelming as Poynter reports, “McClatchy stock has lost almost all its value to investors. Its market capitalization sits at a low $69 million. And refinancing of the company's $794 million debt consolidated more lending control in the hands of a longtime creditor.”

These cutbacks follow cuts of BuzzFeed, HuffPost, Gannett, and a buyout offer at the Providence Journal.