Out-of-state media corporations increasingly dominate Texas’ major daily newspapers, sparking criticism that Texans are losing local ownership, accountability, and influence.
From The Dallas Morning News to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, nearly every major Texas daily is now controlled by corporations headquartered in places like New York, California — and even a New Jersey hedge fund that owns the Star-Telegram’s parent company.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, The Dallas Morning News is set to fall under out-of-state ownership following the sale of DallasNews Corporation to New York-based Hearst Corporation. The $14-per-share, all-cash acquisition represents a 219% premium over the July 9 closing price.
Hearst already owns several major Texas outlets, including the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News. The company promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, partnering with national advocacy groups such as the Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists and the National Association of Asian American Professionals.
“The Hearst Supplier Diversity Program aligns the company’s supplier base with its customer base. Hearst believes that by proactively identifying, promoting and purchasing goods and services from a diverse group of top-notch suppliers, the company strengthens its business and community relationships,” Hearst states on its Diversity webpage.
Critics argue such priorities show how editorial and business practices are increasingly shaped by national corporate agendas rather than local needs.
Other Texas papers under Hearst’s umbrella include the Midland Reporter-Telegram, the Austin American-Statesman, and the Beaumont Enterprise.
The Dallas Observer has been owned by Colorado-based Voice Media Group since 2012, extending long ties to national corporate ownership rather than local voices.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram is owned by California-based McClatchy, which itself is controlled by Chatham Asset Management, a New Jersey hedge fund. McClatchy has emphasized “DEI” initiatives for decades, pledging pay equality and diversity commitments as early as 2003.
“Giving our employees paid time off to honor the various cultures, heritages, and faiths represented by our workforce is an important addition to McClatchy’s benefits package,” then-Chairman Gary Pruitt said at the time.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Star-Telegram reduced its print editions last year to focus on digital content, frustrating subscribers. At a meeting at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, readers objected to plans to cut print delivery to just three days a week.
“It was a complete waste of time,” an anonymous subscriber said of the August 29 meeting.
The Star-Telegram once boasted 350,000 subscribers in the 1990s but has dwindled to about 27,000 in print and online as of 2024, according to FWR.
“No one reads the Star Telegram anymore. Crap like this is why. Truly pathetic.” Bo French, chair of the Tarrant County GOP, posted on X last year.
The El Paso Times is owned by New York-based Gannett. The company promotes employee resource groups such as Asian American Forward, Black Forward, Ability Forward, Pride Forward, and Women Forward. Gannett also touts a perfect score from the Human Rights Campaign, according to its website.
The Dallas Express reached out to Hearst, Gannett, and Voice Media Group for comment but did not receive a response.
Critics warn that the consolidation of Texas newspapers under out-of-state corporations means the state’s cultural and political narratives are increasingly being shaped by outside influences rather than local communities.