The deal appears to have been sealed and come next year, the ownership of Dominica’s longest running newspaper, The Chronicle, will be in new hands.
Dominica News Online has been reliably informed that an earlier report that The Chronicle was sold, is true.
“The company was sold since November 15,” a source with intimate knowledge of the matter said. The new owner is Michael (Mike) Jones, the source added.
Another source told DNO that a meeting was held with staff members last Friday, to inform them of the decision and they were told that the new owner will be taking over in the new year.
The source said staff will be made redundant and those who have been with the company for over three years, will be given redundancy packages and rehired by the new owner.
The source also mentioned that the editor may be on her way out as friction is already developing between her and the new owner.
DNO also obtained a copy of a letter, dated November 28, which The Chronicle sent to its advertisers. It states, ” Our company is currently undergoing a transition, and as such all local and overseas accounts have been placed on hold with immediate effect. This means that all ads must be paid for in advance.”
The company, in its letter, further advised that, “Draft payments must be sent to us via courier. In order to hasten payment, overseas customers can consider Money Gram or Western Union as quick money transfer options. We shall keep you updated regarding any change in this situation.”
DNO tried, without success, to reach proprietor of the newspaper, Frank Baron, on Thursday.
On November 19, Baron denied reports that the publication was sold.
“No, no, no …. we are negotiating,” he told DNO.
He remained tight-lipped as to who were the prospective buyers with whom he was negotiating.
The Chronicle was founded by Bishop Phillip Schelfhaut 1909 as the Dominica Chronicle, a bi-weekly publication.
It was eventually named The New Chronicle.
In 1996 The New Chronicle declared bankruptcy after a court judgement against it and was renamed “The Chronicle”
The newspaper is located in Wallhouse.
Remember folks, the employees will be made redundant and most will NOT BE REHIRED!!!! If they show any inclination of decent in relation to what the paper wants to push politically, they will be out the door……….more unemployed people on island. hmmmmmmmmm
WOW!!!
Hhhmmmm!!! I have a feeling that this newspaper will go out of business.
When is somebody going and buy UWP? So long they on d shelf gathering dust
Hey, don’t forget Labour was on the shelf for years until Freedom help them buy Dominicans. Change is coming!! Don’t resist it.
DNO sources did not get the full story. Check this. One. Skerrit’s boom-boom fly wants to buy the Chronicle, but he only pays part up front.Two. Before tthe sale is complete, he demands the names of the anonymous columnists. Three. The editor refuses on principle. saying that their anonymity is between she, them and Frank. Four. Boom-boom fly is enraged and goes back to Frank a’ huff threatening to withhold the rest of the payments if he doesn’t get the names. Five. Frank tells him that he is Josh Shaw and only the editor knows the names of the other anonymous columnists (LOL!). Six. Boom-boom demands the removal of the editor for her failure to disclose the names. Seven. Frank capitulates because money talks. That’s the real vibe. Who know know! Any other vibe is BS,
As Editor, does she have to reveal their names? Is this not confidential? This is the reason why it is stated she may be out, on her way. She better not hesitate to seek legal advice.
Ah ah DNO. The newspaper that I bought is located at my home. My muma’s own is located at her home in Giraudel. and not Wall House
The MR. Aaron must not get back space to write a**ness.
For so long I’ve been hearing that the Chronicle had been sold , yet Mr. Baron was denying the allegation, I don’t know why all that tight lip, is he suffering from memory lost?
Tight lip? Wasn’t he a politician?
everything in da is crooked
Did the Skerrit cabal buy the Chronicle to exert greater control of the media in Dominica? Did Frank Baron let the patriots down?
I am waitng for Frank’s comment before commenting. Last tiem it ws the other online news that “broke” the news. DNO said nothing untill the news was denied by Frank. The other paper did not carry Frank’s denial. We go see.
ah ah mr baron losing his memory already? he could not remember if the chronicle sold or not. ebeh soy par feb.
LOL, Redundant? When referring to people being let go from their jobs, redundant is a very strident word to use.
DNO who is the new owner?
sad to hear… so many people are being made redundant around the island… i’ve been hearing that better days are coming for so long and it has yet to arrive.
Josh Shaw might lose his job. Matt might have to employ him on Q95.
@?? Your CRASS IDIOT. Matt has no power to employ people on Q 95.What happen your memory is going off or what? Or maybe you are too lazy, to make a meaningful contribution to anything.
Not JOSH SHAW alone, you forgetting, COJONES. MA TIPAM and 2020. The editor and cartoon creator will definitely go too.
.
Please not the cartoonist. I love his/her creativity. That is the first thing I look for in the paper.
u doh read they will be re-hired, guess they take their redundancy pay and will start all over with new contract with the new management… At least they will have cash to payoff their loans etc… or better yet buy me a gift
…And for them to start all over again. Not a bad idea.
“The source said staff will be made redundant and those who have been with the company for OVER THREE YEARS, will be given redundancy packages and rehired by the new owner.”…… so this means that those who have been working for less will or may not be re-hired.
So is Jesus..
DNO, who bought the newspaper?
I wonder if DNO is not bought by the richest political group in the Caribbean as well. Is that why so many of my comments are not being posted? LOL
A Perfect Idiot!
You are the perfect idiot as you say that’s why nothing you say can be seen by other. The power of name or words
well said, mee too.:lol:
@Mee too, It is because I always hit the nail on the head and call a spade a spade.
@Dominica/Canada, You do like me? Girl we use to ride the same bus to PSS and you do like me? You remember when I use to help you with class work? Even if you don’t like me I still like you; I just don’t like your senseless statements because you in Canada where life is sweet and you do not have a clue of the hardship we go through here. But then again, I am the perfect idiot.
Yea. That makes a whole lot of sense.
You stated life is sweet in Canada? This may have been some years ago and it was but not today. It is becoming worst.
You should migrate here and get a taste of it. You may decide to quickly return home.
Those of us who are still here, it is because we have grown accustomed to it. We have become seasoned and put up with it.
In addition, the more people become godless, the worst it will be including legislating so-called same sex marriage. God turns his back on such people who highly offend him and the ignorant are not aware of it. Those who reside in the country are affected to a certain degree. Therefore, it is no bed of roses here.
Hope you have learned something. Enjoy Dominica with its beautiful scenery, sunshine and tropical weather.
@a perfect idiot, again u must be mistaking me for someone else as you are again so wrong.. U r the only one who thinks that my statements are senseless but i will not entertain u as u sound like a pathetic stalker who thrives on being a know it all.
Dominica is hard economicaly but the whole wtold is economically hard and things are far better in Dominica than a lot of other countries, so count your blessings