Introduction to Rhode News Media
Rhode Island is a state in the New England region of the United States that was annexed to the union on May 29th, 1790. Though Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US by area, it is the second densely populated state in the county and is a significant market for newspapers & news websites.
History of Newspapers in Rhode Island
History of Rhode Island newspapers is closely related to The New-England Courant, the first newspaper in the country.
After James Franklin was imprisoned in Boston for criticizing the Puritan theocracy, he along with his wife Ann Smith Franklin and five children relocated their printing press to Newport, Rhode Island. It was from this press he published the first newspaper in the region named the Rhode Island Gazette.
First Newspaper in Rhode Island: Rhode Island Gazette
As said, the Rhode Island Gazette was the first newspaper to be printed & circulated in Rhode islands. The paper first entered circulation on September 27th, 1732. It was a weekly newspaper and like most early papers struggled to find a steady readership or generate any profit.
Franklin did put a lot of effort to keep his business afloat but was unable to do so because of the dwindling revenue. Within eight months after Rhode Island Gazette was launched, it was withdrawn from circulation.
Second Newspaper in Rhode Island: Newport Mercury
Newport Mercury was the second newspaper to be launched in Rhode Island following the closure of the Rhode Island Gazette. Ann Smith Franklin published the paper in 1758following James Franklin’s death. Ann Smith Franklin became the sole editor and publisher of the Newport Mercury on August 22nd, 1762, making her the first female editor in the United States.
Unlike its predecessors, Newport Mercury quickly gained popularity and became successful. It was the oldest newspaper in Rhode Island until it was withdrawn from circulation in 2018.
As of 2020, there are about 70 newspapers & news websites in Rhode Island. This article will discuss in detail the top newspapers & news websites in Rhode Island.
If you are looking for exclusive information about US Newspapers, you can visit the article written by our US Media experts.
US Newspapers
Turn To 10 (Providence)
Turn to 10 is an online news portal owned by the WJAR, virtual channel ten television station in Providence, Rhode Island. The website was launched in the mid-2000s and was quick to gain popularity. In 2010, the website also won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence.
There are dedicated sections on the website for local news, national & world news, weather updates, politics, trending topics, sports, entertainment, image & video gallery, and a lot more. Readers can also access live TV from the website.
Apart from a strong presence on the web, Turn to 10 also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter. Users can choose to follow the channel’s social media handle for regular updates.
The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal is a daily newspaper in Rhode Island serving the metropolitan area of Providence. The paper was established in 1829 by John Miller by combining the erstwhile newspapers Manufacturers’ & Farmers’ Journal, and the Providence & Pawtucket Advertiser.
Over the years, the paper has grown to become the largest newspaper in Rhode Island. As of 2020, the paper & its online news portal covers all facets of news and updates from in and around Rhode Island and other critical international news.
Apart from the printed newspaper & the online edition, they also publish an e-edition that can be accessed by paid subscribers from their website.
The Providence Journal Android App
The Providence Journal iOS App
GoLocalProv
GoLocalProv is an online news website catering to the readers in Rhode Island. It is the primary source for local stories related to sports, business, weather, lifestyle, politics, arts, and entertainment.
The website has dedicated sections for news, headlines, sports, business, obituaries, weather, lifestyle, entertainment & more. While most contents on the website are available for free, paid subscribers will receive their daily newsletter on their inbox.
GoLocalProv also has an active social media presence; readers can also access the social media handles for prompt updates.
Providence Business News
As the name suggests, Providence Business News is a weekly business newspaper catering to the business community in Rhode Island. Established in the year 1986, the paper currently focuses on covering news & updates on the economy of the state.
Apart from the printed edition of the paper, they also publish an online news website & an e-edition.
Providence Business News Online
Brown Daily Herald
Brown Daily Herald is a student newspaper run by the students of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Established in the year 1866, the paper is the second oldest college dailies in the United States.
Apart from the printed edition of the paper, they also publish an online news website and a weekly arts and culture magazine named the Post.
The Newport Daily News
The Newport Daily News is a daily newspaper in Rhode Island serving New Port county. The paper was established in 1846 by Edward A. Sherman Publishing Company. It remained a locally owned newspaper until Gatehouse Media bought the newspaper in 2017.
The paper also publishes an online news portal & an e-edition. While readers can access the news website for free, access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
The Newport Daily News Android App
The Newport Daily News iOS App
The Westerly Sun
The Westerly Sun is a daily newspaper in Rhode Island catering to parts of Washington County and New London County. Established in the year 1857, the paper has since been covering important news and updates from Washington county & New London County.
Apart from the printed edition of the paper, they also publish an online news website with sections for news, sports, obituaries, opinion, image & video gallery, and more.
Taunton Daily Gazette
Taunton Daily Gazette is a daily newspaper in Rhode Island covering Taunton, Berkley, Rehoboth, Dighton, Lakeville, Norton, and Raynham. The paper was first established in the year 1848 and is currently owned by Gannet. As of 2012, Taunton Daily Gazette had a daily circulation of 6,703 copies & 7,185 copies on Sundays.
Apart from the printed edition of the paper, they also publish a piece of online news & an e-edition. Access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
Taunton Daily Gazette Android App
The Valley Breeze
The Valley Breeze is a daily local newspaper in Rhode Island established in 1996 by Thomas V. Ward & James Quinn. Currently owned by Rhode Island Newspaper Group, the paper has different editions serving Cumberland and Lincoln, North Smithfield and Woonsocket, Foster, Glocester, Scituate and Smithfield, and an edition covering Pawtucket.
Apart from the printed edition, Breeze newspapers also host an online news website which users can access for free.
Serving Cumberland and Lincoln. The paper was established in 1996 by Thomas V. Ward & James Quinn and had since been covering local.
The Times
The Times is a daily newspaper in Pawtucket, Rhode Island owned by RISN Operations Inc. The paper was established in the year 1835 and it today serves the eastern Providence County and some adjacent towns in Massachusetts.
As of 2012, the paper had a daily circulation of 4,332 copies on weekdays and 6,315 copies on Sundays.
East Providence Times
East Providence Times is a weekly newspaper in Rhodes Island serving the East Providence region. The paper primarily covers local news, sports, business and community events in East Providence and the surrounding communities of Providence County.
The paper is owned by the East Bay Media Group who also publishes six other newspapers viz; Barrington Times, Warren Times-Gazette, Bristol Phoenix, Sakonnet Times, Portsmouth Times and Westport Shorelines.
The Good News Today
The Good News Today is a monthly non-profit Christian newspaper in Rhode Island that was established with a focus on providing news and information from a biblical perspective.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also host an interactive website. Readers can access both the newspaper & its printed edition for free.
The Good News Today Android App
Johnston Sun Rise
Johnston Sun Rise is a weekly newspaper in Rhode Island primarily serving the readers in Johnston. It is a local newspaper & mainly covers local news & updates from Johnston. Apart from the weekly printed edition, they also host an online news website.
There are dedicated sections on the website for news, sports, lifestyle, obituaries, classifieds, and more.
The Jamestown Press
The Jamestown Press is a weekly newspaper in Rhode Island catering to the readers in and around Jamestown. As of 2020, the printed edition of the newspaper has a weekly circulation of 5,500 copies.
Apart from the printed edition of the newspaper, they also host an online news website. While most contents on the website are available to the users for free, access to e-edition is restricted to paid subscribers.
Conclusion
This is a summary of the top newspapers & news websites in Rhode Island, USA, as of 2020. It is estimated that the total circulation of newspapers & news websites in Rhodes Island is around 50,000.
Like all other states in the country, the newspaper industry in Rhode Island is running on fumes. Dwindling revenue from a circulation & almost zero revenue from advertisements has forced most newspapers to wind up their operation or merge with other newspapers to stay afloat.
Some newspapers have reduced their print days and switched to digital publishing to keep their business afloat. Most local newspapers in the state have begun a campaign demanding more financial assistance to keep their businesses afloat.
While the Media industry knows no bounds, we at MediaBuzz are working hard to provide comprehensive coverage of all the news sources. We are a team of professional writers with a knack for the trends in the world of journalism.
We can do a lot more with your support!
Would you mind helping us find answers to some questions?
- What are the top three newspapers in Rhode Island?
- How well do you think the local newspapers are doing in Rhode Island?
- Did we miss any deserving newspaper or news website?
- Which is the best newspaper in Rhode Island for business, entertainment, and sports news?
- Do you have any other information for us related to newspapers in Rhode Island?
- Are there any newspapers in Rhode Island that went bankrupt?
Please drop your answers in the comments section below. We are thanking you in advance!
Hey reader, can we grab your attention for a minute?
We are always looking for people with a media/journalism/mass communication background to contribute more articles. If you are an expert in the Rhode Island media industry, can you help us make this article better?
We are also looking for companies/people who wish to sponsor this article and empower us to research and cover more valuable information about the Rhode Island media.
For more details, please contact us at mediabuzz.org@gmail.com.