The connection between a circulation scandal at the Wall Street Journal Europe and some editorial content in the paper didn’t surface until recent weeks, report Paul Sonne and Bruce Orwell of The Journal.
Sonne and Orwell write, “The Dow Jones investigation didn’t identify the problems with the editorial component of the ELP deal that led to Mr. Langhoff’s resignation.
“According to a person familiar with the matter, those problems only came to light last week, months after Mr. Van Mol began emailing complaints to Dow Jones executives. That’s when the paper re-examined the situation.
“At the time, the U.K. newspaper The Guardian was investigating the ex-employee’s claims. The Guardian published an article on the matter Wednesday.
“Newspapers and magazines have long relied on the distribution of free or heavily discounted copies to boost reported circulation numbers, which dictate how much they can charge for advertisements. The Audit Bureau of Circulations in the U.S. broadly divides circulation into two categories: paid and verified. Verified circulation includes the copies publishers distribute free to targeted homes, universities and public places such as doctor offices, according to ABC president Michael Lavery.”
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