The Newcastle Journal was first published in Newcastle on 12 May 1832 by businessman John Hernaman and his friend Robert Perring with the support of local Tories. The first issue cost 7d and comprised 8 pages for that issue only, reverting thereafter to 4 pages. It was a staunchly Conservative weekly publication, introduced to overcome the dearth of Conservative papers in the county. It advocated the interests of agriculture, shipping, commerce, mining and manufacture and strongly supported the Established Church.

The first editorial affirmed that “Its leading principles will be decidedly Constitutional and Conservative” with the motto “Our country and its welfare” and it pledged to work towards the promotion of “the Prosperity and Happiness of all ranks of the community.” The Journal gleefully reported the downfall of the Whig administration following Lord Grey’s resignation and made no secret of its opposition to the Reform Bill. The new paper declared that it would “fearlessly oppose” “that falsely-called Reform ...that would destroy the most valuable institutions of the Monarchy for no better reason than that they have been long-continued and well-tried.” The Journal’s strong political statements and editorials provoked a number of physical assaults on John Hernaman during his time as owner.

The Journal was increased to 8 pages in January 1850. Hernaman then sold the paper and printing business in the late 1850’s to Andrew Carr. The paper went daily in January 1861 and in 1867 Carr sold what had become a considerable concern to the Northern Counties Conservative Newspaper Co. Ltd. In 1937 it was bought by Allied Newspapers then passed via Kemsley Newspapers to Trinity in 1996. The title changed from the Newcastle Daily Journal to The Journal in 1957.