Berliner Journal

The Berliner Journal (later the Ontario Journal) was a German-language weekly-newspaper published in Berlin, Canada (later Kitchener) from 1859 to 1918. The newspaper was founded by German immigrants Friedrich Rittinger and John Motz, who operated the paper together through most of its existence until their sons – William John Motz, Herman Rittinger and John Adam Rittinger – took over the operation at the turn of the century.

Berliner Journal
Top of the Berliner Journal front page, 12 August 1914, reporting on the outbreak of the First World War in Europe
TypeWeekly newspaper
Founder(s)
PublisherRittinger & Motz printing firm
Founded1859
LanguageGerman (English after October 1918)
Ceased publication1918
HeadquartersBerlin (renamed Kitchener in 1916)
Circulation5,155 (1908)
OCLC number1147283368

German speakers made up a large segment of those immigrating to Canada in the 19th century, and demand for German-language publications in Upper Canada was high. When founded, the Berliner Journal was one of several German-language newspapers in Ontario. By 1908, competitors had either ceased publication or amalgamated into it, making the Journal one of only two German papers in Ontario and the most widely read in Canada. At its peak, circulation was over 5,000 with a readership spanning the country and extending into the northern United States.

The outbreak of the First World War led to rising anti-German sentiment in Canada. After Berlin changed its name to Kitchener in 1916, the newspaper was renamed the Ontario Journal in January 1917. A 1918 Order in Council prohibiting the use of "enemy languages" in Canadian publications led the Journal to publishing only in English beginning in October 1918 and then folding altogether in December 1918.

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