Readers hate stories about world trade talks

Allen Wastler, the managing editor of CNBC.com, writes Wednesday that readers of his Web site aren’t that interested in stories about the world trade talks breaking down.

Wastler writes, “Sure the world trade talks, which just crumpled for the umpteenth time, are very, very important. Global trade is one of those macro-economic things that touches everyone in one way or another. A farmer or factory worker suddenly faces overseas competition that puts them out of a job. Consumers suddenly find lower prices and more choices. Trade rattles all the way down the food chain and can be good or bad, depending on your point of view.

“Something business news readers should stay on top of, no?

“But readers hate it. At least that’s what my traffic meters tell me. Why? Well, it’s theoretical and pretty far from the here and now. Not like stories of people trying to get money out of failing banks or gas prices suddenly swinging by a dollar. Also, the trade discussions are handled by full-blown, bureaucratic diplomats. Their messages to one another may be full of nuanced meaning … but their diplo-speak rarely makes riveting news copy.”

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