LAS VEGAS – In a significant shift within the local media landscape, the Las Vegas Review-Journal announced on Friday that it will cease printing its longtime rival, the Las Vegas Sun. This marks the first time in decades that the Sun will not be included as a printed insert, a decision stemming from an ongoing legal dispute regarding the last joint operating agreement in the United States, which originated from a 1970 law aimed at preserving newspapers.
In an editorial, the Review-Journal informed readers that “will not find a printed Las Vegas Sun insert inside,” emphasizing that the Sun continues to maintain an online presence and a substantial following on social media platforms. The editorial also encouraged the Sun to independently produce its own newspaper, stating, “It is time the Sun stood up on its own two feet.” However, the Review-Journal did not disclose the financial implications prompting this decision.
The two publications were set to meet in court on Friday, with the Sun’s legal representative, attorney Leif Reid, expressing hope that a judge would order the immediate resumption of printing. Reid noted that this would be the first occasion in 76 years that the Sun has not been printed, adding, “This does irreparable harm to our community, as no one benefits when a local newspaper is prevented from being published.”
Historically, the joint operating agreement mandated that the Sun be printed as a daily insert in the Review-Journal, while allowing both newspapers to maintain independent editorial operations. However, a lower court recently ruled the agreement unenforceable due to a lack of signature from the U.S. attorney general on an update from 2005. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the Sun’s appeal, which the Review-Journal editorial deemed a decisive victory, attributing the cessation of publication to “6½ years of litigation between the newspapers, precipitated by the Sun.”
Joint operating agreements have become increasingly rare, a reflection of the broader decline of traditional newspaper models amidst evolving media consumption habits. Ken Doctor, a news business analyst, highlighted the trend, noting the recent termination of a similar agreement between the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News after 40 years.
The Las Vegas Sun was founded in 1950 in response to the Review-Journal’s refusal to negotiate with typesetters from the International Typographical Union. The union established the Sun with financial backing from businessman Hank Greenspun, whose family continues to own the publication. The Review-Journal, on the other hand, has been operational since 1909 and is owned by the Adelson family, known for their substantial contributions to the Republican Party.
While the Review-Journal’s editorial stance tends to lean conservative, the Sun is recognized for its liberal viewpoint. This divergence has historically provided readers with a broader spectrum of news and opinion. The Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970, signed into law by President Richard Nixon, was intended to support struggling newspapers by allowing such agreements, thereby fostering competition and diversity in local media.
Initially, the two papers entered into a joint operating agreement in 1989 to ensure the Sun’s survival during a financially challenging period. This agreement evolved over the years, with the Sun becoming a daily insert in the Review-Journal by 2005. However, in 2019, Review-Journal owners sought to terminate the agreement, leading to the Sun filing a lawsuit claiming anti-trust violations.
In today’s media landscape, characterized by a plethora of news sources, experts argue that the dissolution of the joint operating agreement may not significantly impact readers. Stephen Bates, a journalism and media professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, noted that Nevada boasts a variety of strong, independent news organizations compared to many other regions.
Despite the Sun’s robust online presence, the publication contends that losing its print product could hinder its ability to attract talent, diminish readership, and potentially threaten its viability. Genelle Belmas, a media law professor at the University of Kansas, expressed disappointment at the potential end of the last joint operating agreement in the country. She highlighted the value of having both perspectives available in print, noting that online platforms often perpetuate echo chambers.
“Every local news outlet we lose — and that includes big towns, small towns, whatever — is a loss of perspective and a loss of a potential alternative view,” Belmas remarked, emphasizing the importance of diverse media voices in maintaining a well-informed public.
