Britain's Jewish Chronicle seeks liquidation on eve of Passover

Britain's Jewish Chronicle, which describes itself as the world's oldest Jewish newspaper, is to seek liquidation, one of the most high profile media casualties of the coronavirus pandemic that has led to a collapse in advertising spend. Founded in 1841, the title - often known as the JC - said the liquidation was expected to be finalised in the coming two to three weeks and it would make every effort to continue to publish over that time.

"Devastating news for us," said Stephen Pollard, editor of the Jewish Chronicle. "I won't be saying anything beyond confirming that the paper will be out as usual next week, and we have every intention of avoiding any interruption." The outbreak of the novel coronavirus has hammered marketing budgets, forcing media groups around the world to reduce staffing numbers, cut costs and halt publication of some titles.

"Despite the heroic efforts of the editorial and production team at the newspaper, it has become clear that the Jewish Chronicle will not be able to survive the impact of the current coronavirus epidemic in its current form," the JC said in a statement. The board of the Jewish News, which describes itself as Britain's biggest Jewish newspaper, made the same announcement.

The Kessler Foundation, owners of the JC, said it was working to secure a future for the title after the liquidation. The Guardian newspaper reported that staff had been told the parent company had run out of money during the lockdown. The London-based Jewish Chronicle says it strives to reflect a wide diversity of Jewish religious, social and political thought across the spectrum, both Orthodox and secular.

"We deeply regret the news of the potential liquidation of both the Jewish Chronicle and the Jewish News and the impact that this will have for the many fine journalists, who contribute enormously to Jewish life in this country," a spokesman for the Board of Deputies of British Jews said. "We hope that a buyer will come forward to salvage the many jobs that may be lost."

Over nearly two centuries, the newspaper has reflected the ups and downs of European Jewry, from pogroms against Jews in the Russian empire and questions of Zionism to the foundation of the Jewish state and anti-Semitism in Britain. In one of the newspaper's most notable interviews, the JC in 1981 spoke to then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher who described Israel's attack on an Iraqi nuclear plant as a step towards international anarchy.

"This is very sad news for the staff and Jewish community, particularly at the start of the festival of Passover," said Jo Stevens, the opposition Labour Party's media spokeswoman said. "Collapsing print sales and advertising revenue are hitting regional, local and independent news outlets already under financial pressure, extremely hard." (Additionanl reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Alison Williams)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)