The Parisian counsel has recently expressed its desire to establish a ‘code of good conduct’ between mobile freesheet distributors and Parisian news kiosks. The code could eventually prohibit distribution of free papers within a zone surrounding the kiosks.

Many newspapers in Paris are still sold in specialized miniature newsstands.

“Interrogations about the future of kiosks persist as the paid-for press is still struggling,” commented the counsel’s report.

In five years, freebies have revolutionized the press landscape in France. Metro distributes 880,000 copies in 10 cities and 20 Minutes distributes 870,000 copies in eight cities.

Faced with the expansion of the freesheet giants, it seems the Parisian counsel is trying to save – or to prolong – the existence of one of the city’s typical charms.

Source: AFP Mail