The 77-year old Baguio Midland Courier announced on Sunday that effective July 22, it will cease publication inviting advertisers and the newspaper’s supporters “to publish your messages, advertisements, advertorials, and infomercials” in its remaining three issues.
In a statement, Baguio Midland Courier, published by the Hamada Printers and Publishers Corporation, noted that its closure adds to the growing list of newspapers and “venerable publications” worldwide who are shutting down operations – a trend attributed to the “unprecedented challenges” in the age of increasing digitization.
It said that a special meeting of the company’s stockholders and members will take place on June 17 with the agenda centered on the approval of the company’s dissolution.
“The decision to cease publication was a difficult one and the management deeply regrets any impact this may have on our esteemed readers, newsboys, supporters, contributors, and advertisers,” the statement reads.
Although the weekly publication will shut down its storied print edition, Baguio Midland Courier invites the public to “stay connected with us through any means possible, as we are hopeful that new opportunities will arise, allowing us to continue our mission in different forms.”
The last three issues of the Baguio Midland Courier are slated for publication on July 7, 14, and 21.
The first four-page issue of Baguio Midland Courier went off the press on April 28, 1947. It was founded by journalist and lawyer Sinai Hamada, son of a Japanese migrant and an Ibaloi woman. He served as editor of the Philippine Collegian.