Print newspaper circulation continues free fall

A REPORT said the US Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) will release statistics today showing print newspaper sales are continuing to fall.

The report, in the Wall Street Journal, said large publishers appear to be suffering the biggest declines.

That newspaper will state that its circulation fell for the six months period by 1.5 per cent to just over two million, and the report said an "accelerated drop in circulation" is anticipated.

The challenge comes from the Internet and from newspapers which offer free online content, the Journal suggests. It has had a paid for Internet site for years, and is widely viewed a one of the most successful web news sites of its type.

The newspaper also suggests that many publishers have cut editorial staff and the type of coverage they offer, and are having trouble attracting "young people" to buy their products.

We suspect tame journalism is also something of a problem.

Other factors, said the Journal, include some publishers overclocking circulation figures in an attempt to win more advertising and discounted copies provided, for example, by hotel chains. µ

L'INQ
Wall Street Journal

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