Article from J-Source – a publication of the Canadian Journalism Project
Former managing editor Phil Andrews reflects on the closing of the 149-year-old paper in 2016.
Over its 149-year history, the Guelph Mercury was an acclaimed local newspaper. The careers of many journalists who went on to do bigger things were fostered there; the staff won a National Newspaper Award in 2010; and they consistently dug deep into local stories.
Phil Andrews was the managing editor at the Mercury for just over 10 years—until one Friday in January 2016. Andrews was told by his superiors at Metroland, a subsidiary of Torstar, that the paper would be closed. The official announcement would come the following week, with the final issue rolling off the presses on Jan. 29.
Over a year since the final issue was released, Andrews has moved on—he now works in communications for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. He spoke to J-Source…continue reading “The Last Days of the Guelph Mercury” by clicking here.
Guelph Museums is currently hosting two exhibitions on newspapers. One looks at the long history of the Guelph Mercury called B&W and Read All Over while the other looks at how headlines are created with The Dailies: Front Pages & Frontispieces.
Check these out at Guelph Museums until September 1st, 2019.
Related Links:
“Instead of Mourning Local News, try paying for it” via J-Source
“Nonprofit News: Lessons from South of the Border” via J-Source
Vintage Guelph 