The Trentonian: A History of New Jersey's Gritty Tabloid
Serving as a primary news source for Trenton, New Jersey, and the broader Mercer County community, The Trentonian is a daily tabloid newspaper with a storied and often controversial history. Since its inception, the publication has been characterized by a bold, gritty approach to journalism, positioning itself as a feisty alternative in the local media landscape.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Key Facts
- Founded: 1945 by former members of the International Typographical Union.
- Format: Tabloid.
- Ownership: Digital First Media (a merger of Media News Group and Journal Register Company).
- Circulation (2020): 7,837 daily and 6,869 Sunday.
- Major Award: 1974 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing.
- Current Publisher: Edward S. Condra.
Origins and Evolution
The Trentonian was established in 1945 when 40 members of the International Typographical Union broke away from the Trenton Times to launch their own publication. From the start, the paper embraced a tabloid style, known for its aggressive reporting and provocative tone.
The paper's competitive spirit was most evident during its rivalry with the Trenton Times. When The Washington Post Company acquired the Times in 1975, Katharine Graham famously aimed to make Trenton a "one-paper town," though she later reportedly described the effort as her "Vietnam."
Operational Changes and Ownership
Today, the newspaper is owned by Digital First Media (DFM), a Denver-based company that manages 75 daily and several hundred non-daily newspapers across the United States. DFM was created through the merger of Media News Group (MNG) and the Journal Register Company (JRC).
The late 2000s brought significant shifts to the publication's operations. In November 2008, DFM announced that several papers, including The Trentonian, were for sale. During this period, the daily price of the paper rose by 43 percent, increasing from 35 cents to 50 cents. Furthermore, in January 2009, printing operations were moved from Trenton to a JRC-owned facility in Exton, Pennsylvania.
Journalistic Legacy and Controversies
The Trentonian has experienced both high critical acclaim and severe public backlash. In 1974, editor F. Gilman Spencer won the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for his courageous work bringing public attention to scandals within the New Jersey state government.
However, the paper has also faced criticism for its sensationalism. One notable instance of community outrage occurred when the paper ran a front-page headline, "Roasted Nuts!", regarding a fire at a state institution for developmentally disabled patients.
The publication's internal struggles have also been documented. The book Tabloid From Hell attributes the decline of the paper to the leadership of former JRC CEO Robert M. Jelenic, alleging that he prioritized discipline and trivial matters over the quality of journalism—a sentiment echoed in an interview with Mary Walton in the American Journalism Review.
Publication Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 1064-3567 |
| OCLC Number | 15342162 |
| Language | American English |
| 2020 NJ Circulation Rank | 14th |
| Website | www.trentonian.com |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns The Trentonian?
The newspaper is owned by Digital First Media, a media company headquartered in Denver, Colorado, which was formed by the merger of Media News Group and Journal Register Company.
When was The Trentonian founded?
The paper was founded in 1945 by 40 members of the International Typographical Union who left the Trenton Times.
Has The Trentonian won any major awards?
Yes, editor F. Gilman Spencer received the 1974 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing for his campaign against scandals in the New Jersey state government.
Where is The Trentonian printed?
Since January 2009, the newspaper has been printed at a facility in Exton, Pennsylvania, rather than in Trenton.
What is the current circulation of the paper?
As of 2020, the daily circulation was 7,837 and the Sunday circulation was 6,869.