Journal Register Company Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

The Journal Register Company is the latest print publication giant to go up on the chopping block, with its owners recently filing for protection under Chapter 11 and hoping to “implement a prompt sale,” in the words of Digital First Media (the Journal’s parent company) head John Paton. Journal Register owns papers all over the eastern and central U.S., including, in the Philadelphia market, the Delco Times, the Times Herald, Montgomery Media, the Delaware County News Network (and then some). Currently, they have a “signed stalking horse bid” from a group associated with Alden Global Capital, which sold off the Inquirer, Daily News and Philly.com earlier this year to local investors. Meanwhile, Paton urged employees not to worry in a recent staff email:

“While I get this news may make some of you nervous, don’t let it. Concentrate on the job at hand and we will work through this. This really is the right decision for Journal Register Company.”

[Poynter]