SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico. The St. Croix Avis, a small daily newspaper in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is set to cease publication after 180 years, as announced by owner and publisher Rena Brodhurst. The closure comes as the historic newspaper struggles to compete with the challenges posed by social media and digital newspaper subscription services.
The St. Croix Avis, which published its inaugural edition in 1844, has played a crucial role in the community, and Brodhurst acknowledged the contribution of past generations of literate slaves to its survival. However, the newspaper has found it increasingly difficult to sustain its operations in the evolving media landscape.
In a statement published on Sunday, Brodhurst expressed the challenges the newspaper faces, stating, “That is an impossible mission we are unable to fulfill.” The exact date of the paper’s last publication is not immediately clear, but Brodhurst mentioned that the company would soon use up its final shipment of newsprint.
“I give thanks to the Moravian Church that insisted the enslaved learn to read, write, and comprehend. The St. Croix Avis would never have been possible without that concept of ensuring a literate Black population,” she expressed in gratitude for the historical support that enabled the paper’s existence.
Founded on the island of St. Croix, home to a predominantly Black population of slave descent totaling around 41,000 people, the St. Croix Avis has been a witness to significant historical events. The newspaper initially published content in Danish but transitioned primarily to English after the U.S. government acquired the U.S. Virgin Islands from Denmark in 1917, according to the U.S. Library of Congress.
Throughout its 180-year history, the St. Croix Avis covered various events, including weather occurrences and societal celebrations. Notable headlines include reporting on a hurricane hitting the neighboring island of St. Thomas in 1867, with a portion of the headline reading, “Frightful Loss of Lives and Property!!!” The paper also covered events like Citizenship Day, where it commented on the amusement of onlookers during activities such as “the catching of the greased pig.”
In an open letter expressing gratitude to the community, Brodhurst lamented the closure of the St. Croix Avis, saying, “What an incredible journey we have had together, learning, growing, rejoicing, and crying together. The road we traveled together has been monumental.” The closure marks the end of a long and storied chapter in the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands’ media landscape.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
