The St. Albert Gazette will be reducing its publishing frequency to one paper a week.
Due to global economic conditions, Gazette publisher Brian Bachynski said the decision was made Monday to only print and deliver the Gazette on Wednesdays.
The paper generates much of its revenue from advertising, and with advertising depleted in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has shut down many businesses, it is not financially viable for the paper to print twice a week.
Bachynski said the Gazette is like any business right now trying to grapple with a slowing economy.
“Many of our customers, if they haven't closed their doors, they're seriously talking about it," Bachynski said, noting businesses everywhere are scaling down their business to weather the current economic reality.
"The St. Albert Gazette is not immune to that as well ... The advertising pays the wages of our journalists. We made the decision to go to our Wednesday circulation. We are very concerned about our advertisers and our community as a whole.”
Gazette staff have been contacting the paper's advertisers, who Bachynski said have been very understanding of the situation.
“Once (the pandemic) subsides, then we fully intend to go back to publishing our Saturday edition,” Bachynski said.
In the meantime, Gazette reporters and all staff are committed to bringing the community up-to-date local, provincial, federal and international news. The Gazette will still be publishing daily news on its website, where readers can get accurate and current information.
“We've got a very good newsroom and they are dedicated and working around the clock to ensure that the news is provided as it happens,” Bachynski said.
The publisher said it is absolutely critical that the Gazette continue to bring news to residents during a public health crisis, given the amount of misinformation that has circulated about COVID-19.
“People know that they can count on the St. Albert Gazette to give them the real goods, the accurate up-to-the minute information."
Bachynski said the Gazette has trained and dedicated journalists who are committed to keeping the community informed.
“(The Gazette) helps keep our community informed and people know the local community newspaper is out there working on their behalf, to inform them the best we can in these very difficult times.”
For the most current news in St. Albert, residents can visit stalberttoday.ca, follow St. Albert Today on Facebook and sign up for the Gazette's daily email newsletter.
