End of JOA brings uncertainty to the future of Detroit's newspapers

The longstanding agreement between the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press will come to an end this year. Gannett didn't give a reason for its decision not to renew.

Copies of the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press sit on a Southeast Michigan newsstand. Photo: Samuel Robinson

The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press will do business separately in 2026 as the joint operating agreement (JOA) that combined their business operations together for decades is expiring at the end of this year.

While News leaders are publicly expressing optimism and a readiness for surviving on their own, senior leadership at the Free Press deferred to its parent company when asked what changes the end of the JOA might bring.

The two publishers said this week they will continue publishing daily newspapers while operating widely viewed websites.The agreement has financially sustained the two daily’s since 1989.

The end of the JOA ushers a new era for both papers.

One longtime Free Press employee described the news to me as “a dark day” in the history of journalism in Detroit.

The way they see it, “once one starts shrinking, the other follows suit.”

My conversation with fellow Midlander and Detroit News publisher Gary Miles at the annual Society of Professional Journalists banquet earlier this year revealed News leaders are confident in their ability to remain viable. Miles touted the News’ growing digital subscriber base, crediting the paper’s award-winning journalism.

On social media, Detroit News managing editor Kevin Hardy answered my question of whether the city could soon lose one of its papers as a result of the expiring agreement, responding simply, “No.”

When I asked editor Nicole Avery Nichols via email Monday how this would affect the Free Press’ future, I received this response from Gannett’s corporate communications.

“Thank you for your inquiry. Please see the below statement from a Gannett spokesperson: “The joint operating agreement between the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News is set to expire at the end of this year, and the partnership will not be renewed. The Detroit Free Press will continue to deliver essential news and content for our valued audiences and provide the best marketing solutions for our clients.”

The email also directed me to this story by Neal Rubin, which includes this statement from a Gannett spokesperson: “During this transition period, we will be working diligently to adapt our operations.”