Guardian & Observer newspapers 'seriously discussing' end to print edition
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...t-edition.html
Guardian 'seriously discussing' end to print edition
The publisher of the Guardian and Observer newspapers is close to axing the print editions of the newspapers, despite the hopes of its editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger to keep them running for several years.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/...n_2060228b.jpg
The Guardian and Observer publisher has spent the last few years battling to stem losses of £44m a year. However, it has been slow to make savings and any money that it has clawed back has been spent on expanding its US and online
Quote:
Originally Posted by Telegraph
Senior figures at Guardian News & Media are seriously discussing the move to an entirely online operation, it has been claimed, leaving Mr Rusbridger increasingly isolated.
The longstanding Guardian chief wants to develop the Guardian’s digital-only US operation before pulling the plug on the print edition, in the hope that it will provide a useful blueprint for the online business in Britain.
However, trustees of the Scott Trust, GNM’s ultimate owner, fear it does not have enough cash on its books to sustain the newspapers for that long, according to More About Advertising, the website run by former Marketing Week editor Stephen Foster.
The Guardian publisher has spent the last few years battling to stem losses of £44m a year. However, it has been slow to make savings and any money that it has clawed back has been spent on expanding its US and online operations.
The investments helped to fuel a 16pc increase in digital revenues to £45.7m last year, but this was not enough to balance GNM’s operating losses which widened from £31.1m.
As much as I cannot stand the newspaper or the views it holds, I do find it rather sad when a producer of thought and opinion ceases (even those I detest) to exist or scales back operations - because having somebody in opposition to me and my views is as important as the other way around is - it is also important to see how the opposing side is thinking. I would also give the Guardian merit on the quality of its publishings, it is a newspaper which actually does do some investigation and independent research itself as opposed to the likes of the Daily Mirror, the Sun and even the Daily Mail which are increasingly drawn back in those areas (with the exception of many journalists such as Peter Hithens, Christopher Booker, Melaine Phillips and so on).
But hopefully with the closure of the printed paper, we'll see less Guardian journalists on the BBC (although I wouldn't hold my breath) because they are given far more airtime than they (as a market share) deserve. Independent blogs are the way to go as are independent journalists which I mentioned above - the likes of Guido Fawkes, Dr. Richard North at EU Referendum and so on and so forth.
The end of the Guardian and Observer printed editions though would mean the end of two of the last remaining newspapers which are left wing, with only the Daily Mirror and the left-wing Independent remaining. It seems the left's habit of not balancing the books is widespread..
Thoughts?
