In 2024, a major shift occurred in the ownership of community newspapers across British Columbia when Carpenter Media Group, a U.S.-based publishing company, purchased Black Press Media, the parent company of the Fernie Free Press.
The acquisition placed dozens of local newspapers — including most of B.C.’s community papers — under foreign ownership for the first time. Carpenter Media Group, headquartered in the southern United States, grew rapidly after the purchase, now owning hundreds of publications across North America, from the Yukon News and Juneau Empire to titles throughout the Pacific Northwest and Lower 48 states.
While Black Press continues to operate from its Surrey headquarters as a subsidiary, editorial decisions and financial direction are ultimately overseen by Carpenter’s corporate management. For small-town readers, this marks a quiet but significant change in who ultimately shapes local news.
Since the takeover, several Carpenter-owned outlets in Alaska and Washington State have faced newsroom conflicts over editorial changes made after publication.
In Alaska, reporters at the Peninsula Clarion and Homer News resigned in September 2025 after management altered a story about a political event without consulting local editors. In Washington, the Everett Herald drew attention when an article about staff layoffs was removed and replaced with a more favorable version after internal pressure.
These incidents have raised broader questions about how corporate oversight may influence the tone or framing of politically sensitive stories. Though no comparable incidents have been reported in British Columbia, the examples illustrate the growing tension between local editorial autonomy and centralized corporate control.
Editorial independence refers to a newsroom’s ability to make content decisions without interference from owners, advertisers, or political figures. When ownership structures shift—especially across borders—there can be concerns about how local priorities and community voices are represented.
Industry analysts note that Carpenter’s management style appears focused on cost control and consolidation rather than a distinct political ideology. However, even non-partisan interference—such as softening criticism of powerful interests or removing controversial topics—can erode public trust in local journalism.
The Fernie Free Press remains a long-standing source of local stories and community updates, and its journalists continue to live and work in the East Kootenay’s. Yet, as ownership becomes more centralized and remote, the role of independent local reporting becomes increasingly vital.
For Fernie readers, it’s good to know that the Free Press is owned by a U.S. media chain whose editorial decisions and management practices have been questioned in other regions.
