Akron Beacon Journal

Akron Beacon Journal is a daily newspaper published in Akron, Ohio, serving the Akron metropolitan area, Summit County, Ohio, and surrounding areas, including Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Stow, Ohio, and Barberton, Ohio. The newspaper is owned by the Gannett Company, a leading media conglomerate that also owns USA Today, The Cincinnati Enquirer, and The Columbus Dispatch. The Akron Beacon Journal has a long history of covering local and national news, including events such as the Kent State shootings and the 1980s decline of the steel industry in the Rust Belt, which affected cities like Cleveland, Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, and Detroit, Michigan. The newspaper has also covered the careers of notable individuals, including LeBron James, Drew Carey, and Devo.

● History

The Akron Beacon Journal was founded in 1839 by Benjamin Douglas and has since become one of the oldest continuously published newspapers in the United States. Over the years, the newspaper has undergone several changes in ownership and editorial direction, including a period of ownership by the Knight Ridder company, which also owned The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The San Jose Mercury News. The Akron Beacon Journal has covered significant events in Ohio's history, including the Ohio and Erie Canal construction, the American Civil War, and the Great Depression, which had a major impact on cities like Canton, Ohio, Youngstown, Ohio, and Akron, Ohio. The newspaper has also reported on the lives and careers of notable Ohioans, such as Thomas Edison, Orville Wright, and Neil Armstrong, who were all born in the state.

● Ownership

The Akron Beacon Journal is currently owned by the Gannett Company, which acquired the newspaper in 2006 as part of its purchase of the Knight Ridder company. Gannett Company is a leading media conglomerate that owns numerous newspapers and television stations across the United States, including USA Today, The Arizona Republic, and The Indianapolis Star. The company is headquartered in McLean, Virginia, and is led by Michael Reed, who has also served as the CEO of Gannett Company's predecessor, Gannett Satellite Information Network. The Akron Beacon Journal is published in conjunction with other Gannett Company newspapers, including The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Columbus Dispatch, which provide coverage of news and events in Ohio and the surrounding region.

● Awards_and_recognition

The Akron Beacon Journal has received numerous awards and recognition for its reporting and editorial content, including several Pulitzer Prize nominations and awards. The newspaper has also been recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press, and the Ohio Newspaper Association for its coverage of local and national news, including the 2008 United States presidential election and the 2010 United States Census. The Akron Beacon Journal has also been praised for its investigative reporting, including a series of articles on the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the War in Afghanistan (2001-2021), which were written by reporters such as Sarah Kendzior and Glenn Greenwald. The newspaper's editorial board has also been recognized for its opinion pieces on topics such as health care reform and climate change, which have been written by columnists such as Eugene Robinson and Kathleen Parker.

● Circulation_and_readership

The Akron Beacon Journal has a daily circulation of approximately 70,000 copies and a Sunday circulation of around 90,000 copies, making it one of the largest newspapers in Ohio. The newspaper is read by a diverse audience, including residents of Akron, Ohio, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and surrounding areas, as well as individuals and businesses across the United States. The Akron Beacon Journal is also available online, with a website that features news, sports, and entertainment content, as well as archives of past articles and editions. The newspaper's online edition is visited by thousands of readers each day, including those in Cleveland, Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, and other cities across the United States.

● Controversies

The Akron Beacon Journal has been involved in several controversies over the years, including a 2011 lawsuit filed by the City of Akron over the newspaper's request for public records related to the city's police department. The newspaper has also faced criticism for its coverage of certain topics, including the 2016 United States presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has affected cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The Akron Beacon Journal has also been accused of bias in its reporting, with some critics arguing that the newspaper has a liberal bias or a conservative bias. However, the newspaper's editorial board has maintained that it strives to provide fair and balanced coverage of all topics, including those related to politics, social justice, and environmental issues.

● Notable_staff

The Akron Beacon Journal has employed several notable journalists and writers over the years, including Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Cay Johnston, who covered topics such as taxation and government spending. The newspaper's current staff includes reporters such as John Caniglia and Amanda Garrett, who cover topics such as crime and education. The Akron Beacon Journal has also been home to several notable columnists, including George Will and Cal Thomas, who have written about topics such as politics and social issues. The newspaper's editorial board includes writers such as E.J. Dionne and Kathleen Parker, who have written about topics such as health care reform and climate change. Other notable staff members include photographers such as Pete Souza and David Hume Kennerly, who have covered events such as the presidency of Barack Obama and the Vietnam War.