QUESTIONABLE NEWS PRIORITIES
The Straits Times newspaper in Singapore carried a story about its own subscriptions initiatives as the page four lead story in the main section of last Thursday's edition.
Headlined "Subscribe directly to Straits Times and read rewards", the 'story' detailed how readers who choose to subscribe directly with the publisher, as opposed to through agents, will stand a chance to win S$100,000. The story included a picture showing how readers can also claim a free gift worth up to S$199.
Straits Times is Singapore's best selling newspaper with more than 300,000 daily sales - more than two thirds of which are through vendor subscriptions. Clearly Straits Times will be paying a commission to these vendors so will benefit financially from having more direct subscribers.
But is this really a story, and a story worthy of being a page four 'prime news' lead story at that?
3 comments:
Well, it may be bias but I'm sure it's true and accurate.
The Straits Times is one of the most laughable newspapers in the region. Stories like this are commonplace - they constantly promote themselves (and trumpet the achievements of the government - which owns a large share of SPH Holdings) in the "news" pages.
Agreed, but I'd also guess it's one of the most profitable newspapers in the region too.
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