Newspaper family comes together as M. Roberts Media

The Victoria Advocate Publishing Co. and Texas Community Media have merged together to form M. Roberts Media. The merger includes three daily newspapers and a bi-weekly (The Victoria Advocate, the Longview News Journal, the Marshall News Messenger and the Panola Watchman), seven digital properties, a full-service marketing business and a variety of verticals.

“Bringing our South Texas and East Texas operations under the same umbrellas will be seamless for our customers,” said Stephen N. McHaney, president of the new family-owned company and publisher of the Longview News-Journal. “The move is aimed primarily at increasing efficiency behind the scenes.”

McHaney is the grandson of Morris Roberts, who purchased an interest in the Victoria Advocate in 1942 and became sole owner in 1961. Morris shared ownership with his son, John M. Roberts, who is chairman of the board, and daughter, Catherine R. McHaney, who is secretary-treasurer. Dan Easton, who is married to Roberts’ granddaughter, is publisher of the Victoria Advocate.