The New York Observer, owned by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, has gone completely online after 30 years with a print edition. It is also removing “New York” from its name.
Joseph Meyer, chairman and CEO of Observer Media, said the change recognizes that the paper now has more of a national audience and is also due to the decline in print advertising that has caused downsizings in other newspapers.
The Observer’s story noted that the Wall Street Journal is ceasing publication of its Greater New York section Saturday “as a result of widespread cuts at the paper.” It said The New York Times has announced a new round of layoffs.
A Nov. 7 NYT story said “the paper-and-ink branch of the news industry has recently seen a print advertising plunge that was ‘much more precipitous than anyone expected a year ago,’” quoting WSJ editor-in-chief Gerard Baker, as interviewed by NYT’s Jim Rutenberg.
Meyer said the decision is not related to the election of Trump.
Several freelance writers for the Observer were dismissed last week, said the Observer story. The website drew 5.6 million unique visitors in September, according to comScore.
Jared Kushner is aiding in the transition of power to the Trump administration.
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