Web allows politicians to sidestep journalists, craft their own coverage

Journalists have long complained that the Obama administration’s distance from the press is a “disgrace,” as veteran White House reporter Ann Compton wrote in February. But, fueled by the ease of web publication, the worrisome trend is catching on despite protests.

Some best practices for charging for digital content

Over the years, news outlets have experimented with a variety of models for online paid content. There’s no secret recipe, but here are some examples of the best practices for paid content, based on research by the Norwegian Media Businesses’ Association, presented by Digital Director Geir Engen during the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok.

Paywalls are good for journalism, believes Globe and Mail’s John Stackhouse

“Paywalls work if they are supporting good journalism,” said John Stackhouse, editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail, presenting in the Paywalls: To charge or not to charge session at the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok.

‘This is the time to take bold steps,’ says Gannett president

In the opening keynote address at the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok, Robert Dickey, President US Community Publishing, Gannett Company, discussed the major changes his company made across its more than 80 newspapers in 2012.

An optimistic outlook on the news market in post-Soviet States

Five international speakers discussed their respective markets for newspapers, in a panel entitled “Around the World in 60 Minutes,” held during the opening session of the 65th World Newspaper Congress, 20th World Editors Forum and 23rd World Advertising Forum in Bangkok.

Africa is changing fast, and the news industry with it

Africa is changing, said Amadou Mhatar Ba, CEO of the African Media Initiative, at the Around the World Session at the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok. The average GDP has increased from about $400 at around the turn of the century to more than $1000 now, and the middle class is starting to grow.

European publishers need to build new businesses, says FAZ CEO

European publishers are currently facing two main challenges, said Tobias Trevisan, CEO of Germany’s Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), the country’s top quality daily newspaper, during the “Around the world in 60 minutes” session today during the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok.

Defending profit margins through transformation at Singapore Press Holdings

With a profit margin of 35%, many newspaper publishers would consider Singapore Press Holdings to be in an enviable position. But Patrick Daniel, editor-in-chief of the company’s English and Malay language newspapers, says that guarding that margin is a tough challenge. Daniel was speaking at the opening session of the World Newspaper Congress in Bangkok.

World Press Trends: Future is about audience engagement

Print newspaper circulations are rising in Asia and declining in mature markets in the West, while digital advances have increased the audience for newspaper content as never before.

Myanmar publisher awarded 2013 Golden Pen of Freedom

In accepting the award, Than Htut Aung cited changes in his country, but the struggle for press freedom and democracy continues.