Categories: OLD Media Moves

Why the FT is increasing its newsstand price

Ian Burrell of The Independent newspaper in London interviews Financial Times chief executive John Ridding about why the business newspaper is increasing its newsstand price, and the conversation touched on the quality of the journalism

Burrell wrote, “‘We have invested steadily, building a global operation with bureaux and reporters and editing operations around the world. That has given us a 24-hour rolling news operation with hubs here, in the homeland, and in New York and in Hong Kong,’ says Ridding. ‘We do that because our audience has become increasingly global, and, frankly, our readers demand quality news and analysis wherever it happens.’

“If the audience is going to make such demands then they should pay for the service. ‘Sustained quality journalism on a global level does actually require sustained investment and I’m a strong believer that quality journalism is valuable stuff.’

“As he looks across at the takeaway coffee cup on his desk, the FT CEO makes the case that other print products could also argue they are sold too cheaply. ‘Quality journalism is undervalued. People are making decisions and forming views – this is the information age after all. Quality, independent, accurate information is valuable stuff. I’ve got my Starbucks over there and it’s a lot more expensive than newspapers and magazines.'”

Read more here.

Chris Roush

Chris Roush was the dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. He was previously Walter E. Hussman Sr. Distinguished Professor in business journalism at UNC-Chapel Hill. He is a former business journalist for Bloomberg News, Businessweek, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Tampa Tribune and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. He is the author of the leading business reporting textbook "Show me the Money: Writing Business and Economics Stories for Mass Communication" and "Thinking Things Over," a biography of former Wall Street Journal editor Vermont Royster.

Recent Posts

NextGov, Route Fifty tap Bur as executive editor

Jessie Bur has been named executive editor of Nextgov/FCW and Route Fifty, GovExec’s news organizations…

11 mins ago

Zeballos-Roig departs Semafor after two years

Semafor economic policy reporter Joseph Zeballos-Roig has left the organization after two years. He previously…

14 mins ago

Inc.’s Hofman on focusing on entrepreneurs

Russell Sherman of the "Press Profiles" podcast interviewed Mike Hofman, the editor in chief of…

18 mins ago

Dow Jones names new tech leaders

Dow Jones chief technology officer Artem Fishman sent out the following: Team, As we continue…

1 hour ago

Yahoo Finance seeks an executive producer

Yahoo Finance is the world's most-used business and financial digital platform. It offers millions of…

4 hours ago

Entertainment industry reporter Voytko-Best departs Forbes

Lisette Voytko-Best, who covered the entertainment industry for Forbes, has left the publication. Voytko-Best is…

5 hours ago