STRROUDSBURG, Pa. — The Pocono Record, long regarded as the heartbeat of news in Monroe County and the Poconos region, is no longer under local ownership. Instead, it is owned and operated by Gannett Co., Inc., a national media conglomerate — a shift that raises important questions about local control, identity, and how community news is shaped.

A Historical Shift

The Pocono Record began in 1894 under the name Stroudsburg Daily Times, rooted firmly in the local community. Over the years, it was acquired by James H. Ottaway Sr., becoming part of the Ottaway Community Newspapers chain. Later, the Ottaway group was purchased by Dow Jones, which itself was bought by News Corp.

In 2013, another major transition occurred: News Corp sold its Local Media Group — which included the Pocono Record — to an affiliate of Fortress Investment Group. Operations of the paper were handed over to GateHouse Media, a company specializing in community newspapers. GateHouse later merged with Gannett, and the combined company retained the Gannett name. Today, the Pocono Record is part of the USA TODAY Network, under Gannett’s broad national umbrella.

What This Means for Local Journalism

The fact that the Pocono Record is now owned by a large, publicly traded media corporation has real implications:

1. Editorial Direction
   When a paper is locally owned, decisions about coverage, priorities, and staffing tend to center on community needs. Under national ownership, strategic decisions may reflect corporate goals — such as cost efficiency, digital reach, or alignment with broader company objectives.
2. Resource Allocation
   With the pressures faced by many newspapers today — declining print subscriptions, shrinking advertising revenues, and rising costs — being part of a large chain may offer financial stability. But it can also lead to tighter budgets, fewer local reporters, or centralization of operations.
3. Community Connection
   A locally owned newspaper can feel more accountable to its readers. When ownership is distant, some in the community may worry that their voice doesn’t carry the same weight — that the paper is less “ours” and more just another title in a massive portfolio.

Are People in the Poconos Aware?

In conversations around town, many longtime residents may not even realize that the Pocono Record is no longer locally owned. For some, the familiar layout and local reporting create an illusion of continuity. But others, particularly those who follow media consolidation more closely, point out the need to understand who controls the narrative.

Some community members have expressed concern that national ownership could dilute genuinely local journalism. Others argue that as long as the Record continues reporting on local issues — school board meetings, municipal government, community events — it still serves an essential role.

There’s also a broader conversation among local media watchers about whether readers should support independent alternatives (like hyper-local newsletters, blogs, or nonprofit news outlets) to preserve a truly local voice.

Looking Back Over Two Decades

Between now and 20 years ago, the Pocono Record’s journey reflects wider trends in the newspaper industry:

• Then (early 2000s): The paper was part of a smaller regional chain, with more locally rooted leadership.
• Now: It is owned by one of the largest newspaper chains in the U.S., sharing resources, infrastructure, and corporate practices with dozens (if not hundreds) of other publications.

While some argue that corporate ownership brings efficiencies and stability, others worry it comes at the cost of local color, editorial independence, and the community-first approach that once defined the Pocono Record.

Final Thoughts

The change in ownership does not necessarily mean the end of local journalism in Monroe County — the Pocono Record still publishes news that matters to its readers, from high school sports to municipal politics. But the shift from a locally owned paper to a corporate asset is profound. It invites reflection on what kind of newsroom the Poconos wants: one driven by corporate strategy, or one rooted deeply in community.

For residents who love the Record for its local touch, the question now isn’t just what the paper reports — but who decides what to report.