Start-ups find paywalls a barrier in building audience

Paywalls have the potential to bring in extra revenue for some media outlets – but they may prove to be damaging to new media start-ups as shown by Matter’s decision last week to forgo its paywalls in an effort to increase its readership.

UN acts to protect journalists, fight impunity

The United Nations has released a new resolution on the safety of journalists and has declared 2 November to be the “International Day to End Impunity.”

In USA, Thanksgiving Day newspapers weigh in with bargains

The planning process for today’s issue of most daily newspapers in the USA today began many weeks ago, since Thanksgiving Day marks their biggest issue of the year, packed full of advertisements.

Canadian university launches bachelor’s degree in sports media

Ryerson University, one of Canada’s top journalism schools, has announced the creation of the country’s first bachelor’s degree specifically geared towards sports media.

Tutorial helps prepare for the Color Quality Club competition 2013

Participants in the competition for membership in the International Newspaper Color Quality Club 2014-2016 maximise their chance of success by familiarising themselves in advance with the subject matter. An opportunity to do so was offered – as every year – by a preparatory WAN-IFRA Tutorial that, besides information about the contents and procedure of the competition, also communicated many practical tips.

Social media jobs to become obsolete within 10 years – report

Thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and other networks, almost every major brand or corporation has a staff member or department dedicated to social media. The task for these employees is simple: to market the company’s message or products through social media channels and increase its influence on consumers.

Alternative paper for magazine printing

On 25 November 2013, The Globe and Mail and Washington Post distributed an issue of the Corporate Knights magazine, printed on a 60% wheat straw paper. Actor Woody Harrelson (on the cover) is an enthusiastic supporter of the project.

Daily Mail to launch Australian site in 2014

The Daily Mail Group of the U.K. is partnering with Nine Entertainment subsidiary Mi9 to launch an Australian news and entertainment in early 2014.

Proposed Kenyan law threatens to choke press (updated)

After a period of robust growth, the Kenyan media face a potentially devastating law.

Groupon re-invents itself as coupon marketplace

Groupon is re-inventing itself. The company became known for sending subscribers a daily e-mail, offering certain discounts and products every morning. Its new mandate is to remake itself as a digital coupon marketplace.