Introduction to Maryland News Media.
Maryland is a state in the United States located in the mid-Atlantic region. It shares its borders with Virginia, District of Columbia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Annapolis is the capital of Maryland and Baltimore is the largest city in the state. With a population of 6,045,680, Maryland is the 19th populous state in the country and an important market for newspapers.
History of Maryland Newspapers
The history of newspapers in Maryland can be traced back to the 1700s when the Maryland Gazette published in Annapolis played a crucial role in the evolution of the state from a colony. However, in the 1800s, federal censorship started being imposed with editors being imprisoned. Baltimore Daily Exchange became one of the victims of censorship. The Baltimore Sun is the prominent daily published in the state. Some of the popular newspapers in Maryland are The Aegis, Baltimore Afro-American, The Capital, Cumberland Times-News, The Daily Record and Daily Times.
Maryland’s First Newspaper
The first newspaper published in Maryland was titled Maryland Gazette. Headquartered in Annapolis, it is said to be first published on September 16, 1727. The newspaper was also the first in the south of Pennsylvania. The Maryland Gazette continued to be published by William Parks till sometime in 1734.
The second newspaper, The Gazette, was also published in Annapolis but by Jonas Green. Its first issue appeared on January 17, 1745. It became quite popular among the masses. However, during the Stamp Act, the newspaper was suspended. After Green’s death in 1767, his wife Anne Catherine Hoof Green took over his role as the editor and publisher. The Gazette was purchased by William Abbott in 1919. It then went on to merge with Evening Capital.
Let us have a look at the top newspapers & news websites in the state.
Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Sun is a daily newspaper in Maryland owned by the Tribune Publishing group. Established in 1837 the paper is currently the primary source of local and regional news, events, issues, people, and industries in Maryland.
History
The paper was established in 1837 by Arunah Shepherdson Abell as The Sun and it remained with his family until 1910. Following which the Garret Families invested in the paper and gained a controlling interest in the publication. In 1947, The Sun opened Maryland’s first television station WMAR-TV which marked a major milestone in the history of Maryland.
In the following years, the paper underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions until Tribune Publishing acquired the newspaper and renamed it the Baltimore Sun.
What do they publish?
- A daily printed edition of the newspaper covering local & regional news. As per the readership survey of 2015, Baltimore Sun had a daily circulation of 133,169 copies & 253,333 copies on Sundays.
- An online news website with dedicated sections for local, national, & world news, sports, business, latest news, opinion, entertainment, headlines, and more.
- An e-edition of the newspaper the access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Apart from a strong presence on print & online, the paper also has an active presence on social media. Readers can also choose to follow the paper’s social media handles for prompt updates.
Baltimore Baltimore Sun Online
Baltimore Baltimore Sun ePaper
Baltimore Baltimore Sun Android App
Baltimore Baltimore Sun iOS App
Carroll County Times
Carroll County Times is a daily newspaper in Maryland catering to the residents of Carroll County with Maryland news, events, sports, and more. The paper was established in 1911 as The Times, which over the years underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions before becoming the Carroll County Times. Today the paper is owned by Tribune Publishing and is a sister concern of the Baltimore Sun.
What do they publish?
- A daily printed edition of the paper that is circulated in Carrol County.
- An online news website with dedicated sections for Top Maryland news, sports, local & national news, opinion, classifieds, arts & entertainment.
- An e-edition of the newspaper, access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Carrol County Times also has an active presence on social media and readers can also choose to follow those pages for prompt updates.
The Bay Net
TheBayNet is an online news website established by Logan Ventures, LLC in 2013. The website was quick to gain popularity and it over the years has become a prominent source of news in the Southern Maryland region. As of 2021, the paper is primarily focused on covering news & updates from St. Mary’s, Calvert & Charles County, and other important national & international news.
Online News Website
The online news website of TheBayNet has dedicated sections for news from Calvert, Charles, St Mary’s, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s county, community news, business & economy, national news, sports, health, events, movies, top stories, and more.
The website is ranked in the top 10 most Google searched sites in one day and has a monthly audience of over 200,000 unique visitors and almost 30 million page views.
Social Media Presence
Apart from a strong presence on the web, TheBayNet also has an active presence on Facebook, & Twitter. The social media handles are frequently updated with the latest news and readers can choose to follow these pages for prompt updates.
Stars and Stripes
Stars and Stripes is a daily American military newspaper covering news & updates on events concerning the United States Armed Forces and their communities. The paper is owned by Defence Media Activity and is primarily focused on catering to the military professionals who are serving outside the country.
Frederick News-Post
Frederick News-Post is a local newspaper in Maryland owned by Ogden Newspapers. The paper was established in 1883 as The News which over the years went on to become the Frederick News-Post as seen today. It was first launched an evening daily and was later converted to a daily newspaper. Today the paper is published 6 days a week has a circulation of 33,082 copies on weekdays and 34,602 on Sundays (As of 2011).
Apart from the daily printed edition, they also publish an online news website with dedicated sections for news, sports, opinion, calendar, classifieds and more. They also publish an e-edition of the paper the access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Frederick news-post Android App
The Herald-Mail
The Herald-Mail is a daily newspaper in Maryland owned by Gannet. While the paper as seen today was established in 1920, its history can be traced back to its predecessor Daily Mail which first hit the newsstands in 1828. The Daily Mail merged with the erstwhile newspaper Morning Herald to form The Herald-Mail.
As of 2021 the paper is primarily serving the cities of Hagerstown, Maryland, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Martinsburg, West Virginia and the surrounding counties and has a daily circulation of 27,000 copies and 32,000 copies on Sundays. They also publish an online news website and an e-edition of the newspaper.
Metro Weekly
Metro Weekly is a free weekly magazine catering to the LGBT community in Washington DC, Maryland & Virginia. The paper was first established in 1994 and is currently owned by Randy Shulman. It mainly covers national and local news, interviews with LGBT leaders and politicians, community event, and more. Other than the weekly printed edition, they also publish an online news website.
The Daily Times
The Daily Times is a morning daily newspaper in Maryland owned by Gannet and catering to the residents in Webcomic, Worcester, and Somerset counties, and regional coverage across the Delmarva Peninsula. Since its inception in 1886, the paper has been covering news and updates from Delmarva including Salisbury.
Other than the daily printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website and an e-edition.
The Capital
The capital is a daily newspaper in Maryland published by the Baltimore Sun Media Group. Established in 1884 as The Evening Capital, the paper today caters to the residents of the city of Annapolis, much of Anne Arundel County, and neighbouring Kent Island in Queen Anne’s County.
Other than the daily printed edition of the newspaper, they also publish an online news website and an e-edition.
Southern Maryland News Net
Southern Maryland News Net is an online news website in Maryland catering to the Calvert, Charles, St. Mary’s, Prince George’s, and Anne Arundel counties. The website is primarily focused on covering the important news and updates from the state and has dedicated sections for news, law enforcement, fire & rescue, obituaries, and more.
Southern Maryland News net Online
African Examiner
African Examiner is an e-news magazine established in December 2008 in the city of Maryland by a group of Nigerian Journalists. Though the paper is based out of Maryland, it is primarily focused on providing objective and balanced views about Africa and Africans at home and in Diaspora.
Other than the e-magazine they also publish an online news website with sections for news, business, sports, international news, opinion, columnists, technology, and more.
The Real News Network
The Real News Network is a viewer-supported online news platform that was established in 2003. It is a non-profit organization aimed at fighting back against capitalism, white supremacy, and imperialism. Being a news website, it has dedicated sections for the latest news, climate crisis, inequality, racial justice, police accountability report, and more.
They also have an active presence on Facebook & Twitter & readers can choose to follow these pages for regular updates.
Afro American
Baltimore Afro-American is also known as the Afro American is a weekly printed newspaper in Maryland. The paper was established in 1892 by an African-American family and today it is the longest-running African- family-owned newspaper in the United States.
Apart from the weekly printed edition, the paper also publishes a daily e-edition of the paper that can be accessed from the website. The access to which is restricted to paid subscribers.
Talbot Spy
Talbot Spy is an online newspaper catering to the residents of Talbot county. The paper mainly covers local news, public affairs, arts & entertainment and more. Apart from the e-edition, the website is also regularly updated with the latest news and updates and has dedicated sections for food & garden, ecosystem, education, Habitat, health, and more. The paper also has an active presence on Facebook & Twitter.
The Diamondback
The Diamondback is a student newspaper published by the University of Maryland, College Park. It was established in 1910 titled The Triangle and was later renamed The Diamondback. The paper was initially published as a daily printed newspaper until 2013. Following which it was converted to an online weekly journal.
The paper also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for sports, opinion, multimedia, latest news & more.
Baltimore Business Journal
Baltimore Business Journal is a weekly online business journal published by the American City Business Journals network. It is a business publication and covers business news & updates from Baltimore and its surroundings. They also publish an online news website that is frequently updated with the latest news and updates.
Baltimore Business Journal Online
The Retriever
The Retriever is a student newspaper published by the students of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The paper is mainly focused on covering the local news and updates. Other than the printed edition, they also publish an online news website with dedicated sections for news, opinion, art & culture, sports, latest news & more.
Daily Record
Daily Record is a daily business/legal newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland. The paper was established in 1888 and is currently owned by Bridge Tower Media. Being a business/legal newspaper, it mainly covers reports on commerce, finance, law, business, construction and real estate, with a focus on Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Cumberland Times News
Cumberland Times News is a daily newspaper in Maryland serving Cumberland & the surrounding areas of Allegany and Garrett counties in Maryland, and Mineral County in West Virginia. The paper is currently owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc. and they also publish an online news website.
Cumberland Times News Android App
Southern Maryland Newspapers
Southern Maryland Newspapers is a group of 4 newspapers viz; The Enterprise, Maryland Independent, Calvert Recorder, and, Enquirer Gazette. While each of these newspapers has an independent printed edition and online editions, Southern Maryland Newspapers also publishes an online news website with dedicated sections for community news, sports, opinion, obituaries, classifieds, and more.
Southern Maryland Newspapers Online
Catholic Review
The Catholic Review is a biweekly newspaper that is circulated by email. It is published by the archdiocese of Baltimore and it primarily covers national and international news of interest to Catholics. Other than the bi-weekly printed edition, they also publish an online news website with dedicated sections for local & world news, sports, entertainment, and more.
Salisbury Independent
Salisbury Independent is a community newspaper published by Independent Newspapers of Delmarva.
The Star Democrat
The Star Democrat is a daily newspaper in Maryland owned by Adams Publishing Group LLC. It is one of the oldest newspapers in the state with its history dating back to 1799. It was first launched as The Republican and it over the years underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions to become The Star Democrat.
Cecil Whig
Cecil Whig is a local newspaper in Maryland catering to the residents of Cecil County. Established in 1841, the paper is currently owned by Adams Publishing Group LLC and is circulated twice a week. Other than the printed edition, they also publish an online news website and an e-edition.
Maryland Reporter
Maryland Reporter is an online news website covering news & updates about the state’s government and the latest political news. The website was founded with the idea of making state government as open, transparent, accountable and responsive as possible.
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter is an independent student newspaper published by the students at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, since 1896. The printed edition of the paper is circulated once a week on Thursdays and it mainly covers news and updates from the university. Apart from the printed edition, they also publish an online news website.
The Johns Hopkins News-Letter Online
Baltimore Jewish Times
Baltimore Jewish Times is a weekly community newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland catering to the Jewish population in the state since it was established in 1919. The paper was once the largest Jewish newspaper in the country but over the years its circulation started declining. Today the paper has a circulation of 10,000 copies (as of 2016).
Washington Jewish Week
Washington Jewish Week is a weekly newspaper serving the Jewish community in Washington. The paper was launched in 1930 as the National Jewish Ledger which over the years underwent a series of mergers and acquisitions before becoming the Washington Jewish Week. Today apart from the weekly printed edition, they also publish an online news website.
The Dispatch
The Dispatch is a weekly newspaper in Maryland primarily serving the Greater Ocean City and the surrounding areas since 1984. Apart from the weekly printed edition, they also publish an online news website.
My Eastern Shore
My Eastern Shore is an online news website & the home page of the Mid-Shore weekly newspapers, serving Kent County, Queen Anne County, Caroline County and Dorchester County in Maryland. There are dedicated sections on the website for news, sports, opinion, schools, obituaries, community, and more.
Baltimore Times
Baltimore Times is a free weekly newspaper in Maryland serving the African American community in Baltimore county. The paper was established in 1986 and has since been focused on reporting positive stories about the black people in the country. Other than the free weekly printed edition, they also publish an online news website.
The Avenue News
The Avenue News is a local newspaper in Maryland serving the Essex, Middle River, White Marsh, Carney, Parkville and Perry Hall areas since 1974. Other than the printed edition, they also publish an online news website with dedicated sections for news, sports, opinion, obituaries, classifieds, jobs, and more.
The Daily Record
The Daily Record is a business & legal newspaper published in Baltimore, Maryland. The paper was established in 1888 as a court and commercial paper. and has since been published across the country. Other than the weekly printed edition they also publish an online news website.
The Beacon Newspapers
The Beacon Newspapers is a family-owned free monthly newspaper that was established in 1989. They publish 4 editions covering Greater Washington, Baltimore, Howard County & Richmond. Other than the monthly printed edition, they also publish an online news website with sections for health, money, travel, arts, tech, and more.
The Beacon Newspapers Android App
Conclusion
The newspapers & news websites covered in this article are the top ones that are currently in circulation in Maryland and not the full list. As of 2021, there are more than 100 newspapers that are circulated in the state. Out of which the Baltimore Sun is the largest newspaper in terms of circulation & The Beacon Newspapers is the smallest in terms of circulation.
Though Maryland is a state with a rich history of journalism, the current situation of the newspapers in the state is grim. The newspapers are all struggling with dwindling circulation & a significant revenue shortfall. With the popularity of internet & digital media, the demand for printed newspapers declined which has in turn affected the revenue from circulation & advertisements.
Among all the newspapers in the state, the most affected ones are the local newspapers. With the local businesses closed following the Coivd-19 pandemic, local newspapers which were highly dependent on the advertising revenue from local businesses took a severe hit forcing most of these papers to wind up their business. Today more than 70% of the newspapers are struggling to stay afloat and they have either reduced their print run or have shifted to digital publications.
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- What are the top three newspapers in Maryland?
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- Are there any newspapers in Maryland exclusively for business, entertainment, and sports news?
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