NMI daily newspaper to close

While other periodicals in the Micronesian region have turned to fully digital publications, or a combination of print and online news, one daily newspaper has decided to shut shop.

The Saipan Tribune has announced its closure at the end of the year.

“The increased availability of internet access and mobile devices has led consumers to demand instant information, prompting many industries to reshape their business models and move online. This change has redefined the need for the Saipan Tribune,” the paper said in an Oct. 29 announcement.

“In addition, unforeseen calamities in recent years and continuing local economic challenges have thwarted our best efforts to sustain the business. We are compelled to make this exceptionally difficult decision, so with a heavy heart we would like to inform you that Saipan Tribune will cease its operations on December 31, 2024,” the announcement said.

The newspaper started out as a black-and-white biweekly newspaper, seeing print only every Tuesdays and Fridays. It was first circulated in Saipan in 1990 under Mark Pangelinan and Larry Hillbloom.

In 1993, the Tribune was bought under the name of Pacific Publication & Printing Inc., an affiliate of Tan Holdings Corp., and was expanded to become the first to be published Mondays to Fridays. Soon after, the newspaper went full color on its front and back pages, including the inside front page and inside back page.

On Sept. 21, 1999, the newspaper launched its website.  In August 2002, the Tribune became a full daily newspaper, seeing print seven days a week. In November 2007, the newspaper returned to five-days-a-week printing.

In related news, other closures in the region include the Horse and Cow in Guam, which announced its closure Oct. 19 and Truongs Restaurant in Guam which announced its closure in Guam for Oct. 29, according to media reports. The Saipan Truongs restaurant closed in January 2016. mbj