Journalism

Chicago Defender prints final edition after more than a century

One of the most influential black American newspapers goes online
One of the most celebrated black American newspapers has just printed its last edition, after 114 years. 

Wednesday was the last day you could buy a physical copy of the Chicago Defender.

At a time when black voices were largely excluded from mainstream media platforms in the USA, the Defender covered local births, weddings and sporting events. It also covered some of the century's biggest events, such as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and helped persuade millions of African Americans to move North.

Roland S. Martin - a former editor of the paper - explains why the title has been so important.

(Photo: Outside the original Chicago Defender building, c.1910. Credit: Getty Images)
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