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Atlanta Journal-Constitution Ends 175-Year Print Run

  //food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/01 .. ournal-constitution-ends-175-year-print-run.html
  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, February 1st 2026 at 5:35 GMT by Atlanta Journal-Constitution
      Locales: Georgia, UNITED STATES

Atlanta, GA - February 1st, 2026 - The silence of the printing presses has fallen over Atlanta. As of December 28th, 2025, the 175-year legacy of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in print has come to an end. The newspaper, a cornerstone of civic life in Georgia, has officially transitioned to a digital-only model, a move signaling both the culmination of long-term industry trends and a potentially troubling future for local journalism across the United States.

The decision to cease print publication wasn't sudden. The AJC, like countless other newspapers nationwide, has battled declining print advertising revenue for over two decades. The rise of digital advertising, dominated by tech giants like Google and Meta, has steadily eroded the financial foundations of traditional news organizations. Coupled with shifting reader habits - a preference for online news consumption - the business model supporting print newspapers became increasingly unsustainable.

"We didn't arrive at this decision lightly," explained Eleanor Vance, the AJC's Director of Strategic Communications, in a statement released this morning. "For years, we've invested in building a robust digital infrastructure to ensure we could continue delivering high-quality, in-depth local news. The economics simply dictated that we could no longer sustain the costs associated with print production and distribution."

The impact extends far beyond the AJC's bottom line. The shuttering of the print operation has resulted in significant job losses, affecting printers, delivery drivers, administrative staff, and even veteran journalists. While the AJC assures the public that the majority of its editorial staff will transition to digital roles, the number of positions eliminated remains undisclosed. This loss of skilled labor and institutional knowledge represents a blow to the local economy and a worrying sign for the future of journalism as a profession.

The AJC's shift is not an isolated incident. Over the past two decades, the US has witnessed a dramatic decline in the number of newspapers. According to the University of North Carolina's Hussman School of Journalism and Media, over 2,500 newspapers have closed since 2005, creating what many experts call "news deserts" - communities with limited access to reliable local information. While the AJC maintains a strong digital presence and a loyal subscriber base, the loss of the physical newspaper raises concerns about accessibility, particularly for older adults and those without consistent internet access.

"The printed newspaper served a vital role beyond simply delivering news," explains Dr. Marcus Bell, a media studies professor at Georgia State University. "It was a community bulletin board, a record of local events, and a tangible artifact of our shared history. Its absence leaves a void that's difficult to fill." Dr. Bell points to studies showing that communities with strong local news coverage tend to have higher civic engagement, greater government accountability, and stronger social cohesion.

The rise of digital news, while offering convenience and immediacy, also presents challenges. The proliferation of misinformation and the echo chambers created by social media algorithms threaten to undermine public trust in journalism. The AJC, like other news organizations, is actively working to combat these issues through fact-checking initiatives and a commitment to journalistic integrity. However, maintaining audience trust in a fragmented media landscape requires constant vigilance.

Looking ahead, the future of local news hinges on finding sustainable funding models. Subscription revenue, while essential, may not be sufficient to support robust local reporting. Philanthropic support, government funding, and innovative business models - such as non-profit news organizations - are all being explored as potential solutions. The debate continues over the appropriate role of government in supporting journalism, with some arguing that public funding could compromise editorial independence.

The end of the AJC's print edition serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing local news organizations across the country. While the newspaper's commitment to digital journalism is commendable, the transition is fraught with uncertainty. The question remains: can the AJC, and other legacy news outlets, successfully navigate the digital landscape and continue to serve as vital pillars of their communities?