Georgia newspapers claim few effects from loss of AJC

Georgia newspapers claim few effects from loss of AJC
By: Becky Taylor
Editor: Kate Parham

“Covers Dixie Like the Dew,” was the slogan of the Atlanta Journal.

That would have applied to the paper’s distribution as people in all corners of Georgia could purchase a printed copy of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Beginning in 2007, the paper began eliminating areas of the state from their distribution zone. Daily papers in Georgia that always had the Journal-Constitution as a companion were now alone in reporting news in a daily printed format.

The loss of the AJC affected several papers in the state in various ways.

The Valdosta Daily Times has made no changes in the way it handles the news.

Within months, the paper not only saw The Atlanta Journal-Constitution rescind its distribution, but the area also lost access to the printed version of Jacksonville-based The Florida Times-Union. On the north side of the state line, the latter sold under the title The Georgia Times-Union.

“We’ve continued on what we were doing,” said Sandy Sanders, publisher of the Daily Times.

He said they have attempted to cover the local area better.

Sanders said he has not noticed any effects of the loss of both publications other than that they “may have picked up some single copy sales.”

Situated in the middle of the state, The Macon Telegraph lost its access to the print AJC in 2009.

George McCanless, publisher of the paper, said they have experienced one direct effect of the loss of the printed Journal-Constitution from the area.

The Telegraph received business from the AJC by acting as a carrier of the paper.

McCanless said the paper has not attempted to expand its coverage area or its distribution. The Telegraph covers seven middle Georgia counties and delivers papers to 23. Its circulation is currently 50,000 daily and 65,000 on Sundays.

To the west is Columbus, Ga., and its daily, The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer.

It is smaller than the Macon Telegraph in circulation figures. Daily, it is about 35,000 and 40,000 on Sundays. Senior editor for news Dimon Kendrick-Holmes said the numbers were smaller than they had been in the past.

He said the Ledger-Enquirer covers the Chattahoochee Valley area which includes such areas as Harris County, Ga., and Russell County, Ala.

Holmes-Kendrick said the Ledger-Enquirer’s goal was to reach more citizens in the area who were now looking for a daily newspaper with the loss of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

But there is a contradiction.

Holmes-Kendrick said The Ledger-Enquirer is expanding their coverage into the LaGrange/Troup County area. At the same time, he said the distribution area was smaller. Print copies of the paper are distributed in a 30-40 mile radius from the city of Columbus. Previously, the radius had been 100-150 miles.

Another city that lost the printed AJC is Athens, Ga.

The local Athens Banner-Herald is being proactive in its approach to life without the Journal-Constitution.

Melissa Hanna, executive editor, said the paper had asked readers for feedback about what they would like to see in the Banner-Herald.

She said it now includes a crossword puzzle and the paper also made some changes in comic strips. The crossword was added as one had been a daily part of the AJC.

Hanna said while the paper is currently circulated in five counties, there had been talks of increasing the distribution zone.

Overall, though, the changes are minor, Hanna said.

“We’re not doing anything we haven’t already done.”