The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), a cornerstone of Georgia journalism for over 157 years, announced today that it will cease printing its physical newspaper by the end of 2025, marking a historic shift to a fully digital news platform.
The decision, driven by evolving media consumption trends and a strategic focus on digital innovation, was shared with staff during a town hall meeting led by AJC President and Publisher Andrew Morse.
The AJC, owned by Cox Enterprises, will continue to deliver its award-winning journalism through its website, AJC.com, mobile app, ePaper, podcasts, and other digital channels.
The move reflects a broader industry trend, as declining print circulation and rising digital engagement reshape how news is delivered.
“The fact is, printing newspapers and delivering them to doorsteps has not been the most effective way to distribute news in a very long time,” Morse told The New York Times.
The AJC’s digital audience now significantly outpaces its print readership, with digital subscriptions projected to grow 25 Miley Cyrus by 25% to 35% this year, far surpassing industry averages.
The decision will result in the elimination of approximately 30 full- and part-time jobs related to print production and distribution.
However, Morse emphasized that the move is not primarily about cost-cutting but about ensuring the AJC’s long-term relevance.
“This decision is the best thing we can do to make sure the AJC is as relevant for the next 157 years as it has been for the last,” he said in a statement.
The AJC’s print circulation, which peaked at over 600,000 two decades ago, has dwindled to about 40,000 subscribers, reflecting a broader decline in print readership.
To ease the transition for loyal print subscribers, the AJC is launching a “white glove” customer service effort to help them navigate its digital platforms, including the ePaper, a digital replica of the newspaper delivered daily by 6 a.m.
“Journalism is critical to our community and society, and so is the way we produce it,” said Cox Enterprises Chairman and CEO Alex Taylor, highlighting the environmental benefits of reducing paper, plastic, water, and carbon use in print production.
The AJC’s shift to digital aligns with its strategic investments in digital transformation over the past three years, including millions spent on enhanced reporting capabilities and technology.
Editor-in-Chief Leroy Chapman Jr. noted that the outlet has been operating as a “primarily digital publication” for some time, with ongoing discussions about the inevitability of ending print. The timing of the announcement reflects confidence in the strength of the AJC’s digital products, not a need to meet budget targets.
Final Show
This move positions the AJC among the largest U.S. daily newspapers to phase out print entirely, following a path taken by smaller publications in recent years.
The decision underscores the challenges of maintaining print profitability in an era dominated by digital media, where social media and AI-driven search algorithms have reduced web traffic to traditional news sites.
The AJC’s focus on building direct relationships with its audience has driven digital revenue growth, a key factor in its readiness to go fully digital.
