OK Espanol moving to online-only publication

SALT LAKE CITY — Citing ongoing financial losses, OK Espanol, a Salt Lake-based Spanish-language newspaper, announced today that it would cease its printed edition in mid-February.

The paper’s Web edition will continue to publish in an ongoing effort to serve the Hispanic community.

Clark Gilbert, CEO of OK Espanol’s parent organization, the Deseret News, praised the quality of OK Espanol but said that, during the paper’s three-year history, “we have been unable to find a financially self-sustaining model for the printed paper.”

Six employees will be leaving with the closure of the printed publication. The paper’s leadership team will work closely with each of the affected employees on a transition plan.

“We want all of the employees from the OK Espanol team to know how much we appreciate their leadership and commitment to this three–year test of the Hispanic market.  They created a journalistically strong, award-winning publication.” Gilbert said.  

Gilbert also said this decision is independent of the Deseret News itself.

“(OK Espanol) was a three-year effort to reach the important Hispanic community. It does not impact our confidence in the strength and future of the Deseret News, which remains strong and continues to hit new milestones,” Gilbert said.