Recently by Su Ji Bang

Talking at the 58th annual World Newspaper Congress, Chairman of the New York Times Company Arthur O. Sulzberger said that consumers have an overwhelming choice of media options. How can newspapers make themselves indispensable in the media mix? "I am convinced that our newspapers' ultimate value proposition is our credibility," said Mr Sulzberger, who conceded that The Times has had its share of credibility-shaking scandals. His presentation focused on the steps the newspaper has taken to repair the damage. Among others, the steps include:

- Creating a new position of "standards editor."

- Utilizing the Web to provide readers with complete documents used in stories as well as transcripts of interviews.

- Further curtailing the use of anonymous sources.

"While these reforms are not an all-encompassing panacea, they are an effort to confront aggressively many of the problems that are bedeviling our newspapers and, quite frankly, our industry," he said. "We think that our publics, as Bill Keller, The Times¹ executive editor, calls them, will respond favorably to this multi-prong program because they will see it as an attempt to upgrade our standards while creating a more responsive culture," said Mr Sulzberger.

Talking at the 58th annual World Newspaper Congress, Chairman of the New York Times Company Arthur O. Sulzberger said that consumers have an overwhelming choice of media options. How can newspapers make themselves indispensable in the media mix? "I am convinced that our newspapers' ultimate value proposition is our credibility," said Mr Sulzberger, who conceded that The Times has had its share of credibility-shaking scandals. His presentation focused on the steps the newspaper has taken to repair the damage. Among others, the steps include:

- Creating a new position of "standards editor."

- Utilizing the Web to provide readers with complete documents used in stories as well as transcripts of interviews.

- Further curtailing the use of anonymous sources.

"While these reforms are not an all-encompassing panacea, they are an effort to confront aggressively many of the problems that are bedeviling our newspapers and, quite frankly, our industry," he said. "We think that our publics, as Bill Keller, The Times¹ executive editor, calls them, will respond favorably to this multi-prong program because they will see it as an attempt to upgrade our standards while creating a more responsive culture," said Mr Sulzberger.

Talking at the 58th annual World Newspaper Congress, Chairman of the New York Times Company Arthur O. Sulzberger said that consumers have an overwhelming choice of media options. How can newspapers make themselves indispensable in the media mix? "I am convinced that our newspapers' ultimate value proposition is our credibility," said Mr Sulzberger, who conceded that The Times has had its share of credibility-shaking scandals. His presentation focused on the steps the newspaper has taken to repair the damage. Among others, the steps include:

- Creating a new position of "standards editor."

- Utilizing the Web to provide readers with complete documents used in stories as well as transcripts of interviews.

- Further curtailing the use of anonymous sources.

"While these reforms are not an all-encompassing panacea, they are an effort to confront aggressively many of the problems that are bedeviling our newspapers and, quite frankly, our industry," he said. "We think that our publics, as Bill Keller, The Times¹ executive editor, calls them, will respond favorably to this multi-prong program because they will see it as an attempt to upgrade our standards while creating a more responsive culture," said Mr Sulzberger.

Talking at the 58th annual World Newspaper Congress, Chairman of the New York Times Company Arthur O. Sulzberger said that consumers have an overwhelming choice of media options. How can newspapers make themselves indispensable in the media mix? "I am convinced that our newspapers' ultimate value proposition is our credibility," said Mr Sulzberger, who conceded that The Times has had its share of credibility-shaking scandals. His presentation focused on the steps the newspaper has taken to repair the damage. Among others, the steps include:

- Creating a new position of "standards editor."

- Utilizing the Web to provide readers with complete documents used in stories as well as transcripts of interviews.

- Further curtailing the use of anonymous sources.

"While these reforms are not an all-encompassing panacea, they are an effort to confront aggressively many of the problems that are bedeviling our newspapers and, quite frankly, our industry," he said. "We think that our publics, as Bill Keller, The Times¹ executive editor, calls them, will respond favorably to this multi-prong program because they will see it as an attempt to upgrade our standards while creating a more responsive culture," said Mr Sulzberger.

Mr. Masahiro Takemura, Editor of the digital media Bureau for Yomiuri Online, commented on his paper's original decision to refuse GoogleNews access to its articles and the reason for the eventual change of heart. Takemura admitted that Yomiuri Online, which already was receiving about 200 million page views per month, would have significantly increased its page views and reinforced advertising revenue by allowing its content to be viewed on GoogleNews. But there were 2 major problems:

1. a copyright problem, stemming from an existing lawsuit with a Japanese aggregator

2. maintaining good relations with other major portal sites which distributed Yomiuri news and generated considerable revenue

Yomiuri only accepted use of its content after GoogleNews agreed to respect the copyright of the Japanese daily's headlines which saved its agreements with the other portals. Takemura's advice when dealing with GoogleNews? The benefits ultimately outweigh the problems, but a paper must be careful to make sure its content is protected.

Mr. Masahiro Takemura, Editor of the digital media Bureau for Yomiuri Online, commented on his paper's original decision to refuse GoogleNews access to its articles and the reason for the eventual change of heart. Takemura admitted that Yomiuri Online, which already was receiving about 200 million page views per month, would have significantly increased its page views and reinforced advertising revenue by allowing its content to be viewed on GoogleNews. But there were 2 major problems:

1. a copyright problem, stemming from an existing lawsuit with a Japanese aggregator

2. maintaining good relations with other major portal sites which distributed Yomiuri news and generated considerable revenue

Yomiuri only accepted use of its content after GoogleNews agreed to respect the copyright of the Japanese daily's headlines which saved its agreements with the other portals. Takemura's advice when dealing with GoogleNews? The benefits ultimately outweigh the problems, but a paper must be careful to make sure its content is protected.

Mr. Masahiro Takemura, Editor of the digital media Bureau for Yomiuri Online, commented on his paper's original decision to refuse GoogleNews access to its articles and the reason for the eventual change of heart. Takemura admitted that Yomiuri Online, which already was receiving about 200 million page views per month, would have significantly increased its page views and reinforced advertising revenue by allowing its content to be viewed on GoogleNews. But there were 2 major problems:

1. a copyright problem, stemming from an existing lawsuit with a Japanese aggregator

2. maintaining good relations with other major portal sites which distributed Yomiuri news and generated considerable revenue

Yomiuri only accepted use of its content after GoogleNews agreed to respect the copyright of the Japanese daily's headlines which saved its agreements with the other portals. Takemura's advice when dealing with GoogleNews? The benefits ultimately outweigh the problems, but a paper must be careful to make sure its content is protected.

Director of Digital Publishing for the UK's The Guardian Simon Waldman gave a publishers view of RSS and aggregators at the 12th World Editors Forum. Having implemented a branded RSS readers in February (see former posting), Waldman presented an experienced view of the pros and cons of RSS, but was not able to provide any specific statistics as to how RSS has boosted or hindered The Guardian's online traffic. However, he predicted that RSS will become a standard and essential element of any successful news website due to the extremely positive reception of RSS by techies and, maybe more importantly, investors. Thus, there seems to be no way out of adopting an RSS strategy. In this adoption, Waldman gave a few recommendations:

1. the content should be different, diversified and the quality of journalism should remain superb if not improve; content needs to be designed, not just web pages

2. newspapers need to consider RSS as an opportunity, not an obligation

3. every online story page should be considered as the front page because through RSS, the front page is normally avoided. story page should be considered as the front page

Director of Digital Publishing for the UK's The Guardian Simon Waldman gave a publishers view of RSS and aggregators at the 12th World Editors Forum. Having implemented a branded RSS readers in February (see former posting), Waldman presented an experienced view of the pros and cons of RSS, but was not able to provide any specific statistics as to how RSS has boosted or hindered The Guardian's online traffic. However, he predicted that RSS will become a standard and essential element of any successful news website due to the extremely positive reception of RSS by techies and, maybe more importantly, investors. Thus, there seems to be no way out of adopting an RSS strategy. In this adoption, Waldman gave a few recommendations:

1. the content should be different, diversified and the quality of journalism should remain superb if not improve; content needs to be designed, not just web pages

2. newspapers need to consider RSS as an opportunity, not an obligation

3. every online story page should be considered as the front page because through RSS, the front page is normally avoided. story page should be considered as the front page

Director of Digital Publishing for the UK's The Guardian Simon Waldman gave a publishers view of RSS and aggregators at the 12th World Editors Forum. Having implemented a branded RSS readers in February (see former posting), Waldman presented an experienced view of the pros and cons of RSS, but was not able to provide any specific statistics as to how RSS has boosted or hindered The Guardian's online traffic. However, he predicted that RSS will become a standard and essential element of any successful news website due to the extremely positive reception of RSS by techies and, maybe more importantly, investors. Thus, there seems to be no way out of adopting an RSS strategy. In this adoption, Waldman gave a few recommendations:

1. the content should be different, diversified and the quality of journalism should remain superb if not improve; content needs to be designed, not just web pages

2. newspapers need to consider RSS as an opportunity, not an obligation

3. every online story page should be considered as the front page because through RSS, the front page is normally avoided. story page should be considered as the front page

Director of Digital Publishing for the UK's The Guardian Simon Waldman gave a publishers view of RSS and aggregators at the 12th World Editors Forum. Having implemented a branded RSS readers in February (see former posting), Waldman presented an experienced view of the pros and cons of RSS, but was not able to provide any specific statistics as to how RSS has boosted or hindered The Guardian's online traffic. However, he predicted that RSS will become a standard and essential element of any successful news website due to the extremely positive reception of RSS by techies and, maybe more importantly, investors. Thus, there seems to be no way out of adopting an RSS strategy. In this adoption, Waldman gave a few recommendations:

1. the content should be different, diversified and the quality of journalism should remain superb if not improve; content needs to be designed, not just web pages

2. newspapers need to consider RSS as an opportunity, not an obligation

3. every online story page should be considered as the front page because through RSS, the front page is normally avoided. story page should be considered as the front page

Mr. Jiang Shaogao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily in China emphasized newspaper's role in lighting the way for peace and understanding.

The Chinese media industry has seen a growth from 16,000 journalists 20 years ago to the current 750,000. The explosion of journalists calls for greater relations between media and the government.

Mr. Jiang says that there should be some management of the media by the government. However, he does not mean "control" and suggests that to ensure fairness for Chinese media organizations is economic independence.

Mr. Arthur Sulzberger, Jr, Chairman of The New York Times, emphasized the promotion of press freedom to maintain journalistic integrity in the face of prosecution by governmental bodies.

"When any government tells us what must appear on the pages of our newspapers, television and radio broadcasts and websites, we lose our identity as journalists and become something else - a spokesman for the authorities."

Citing the examples of Judy Miller of the New York Times and Matt Cooper of Time Magazine, who were given the choice to either to violate confidential sources or face prosecution, Mr. Sulzberger urged the need for the journalistic community to support the "federal shield law."

Mr. Jiang Shaogao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily in China emphasized newspaper's role in lighting the way for peace and understanding.

The Chinese media industry has seen a growth from 16,000 journalists 20 years ago to the current 750,000. The explosion of journalists calls for greater relations between media and the government.

Mr. Jiang says that there should be some management of the media by the government. However, he does not mean "control" and suggests that to ensure fairness for Chinese media organizations is economic independence.

Mr. Arthur Sulzberger, Jr, Chairman of The New York Times, emphasized the promotion of press freedom to maintain journalistic integrity in the face of prosecution by governmental bodies.

"When any government tells us what must appear on the pages of our newspapers, television and radio broadcasts and websites, we lose our identity as journalists and become something else - a spokesman for the authorities."

Citing the examples of Judy Miller of the New York Times and Matt Cooper of Time Magazine, who were given the choice to either to violate confidential sources or face prosecution, Mr. Sulzberger urged the need for the journalistic community to support the "federal shield law."

Mr. Jiang Shaogao, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of People's Daily in China emphasized newspaper's role in lighting the way for peace and understanding.

The Chinese media industry has seen a growth from 16,000 journalists 20 years ago to the current 750,000. The explosion of journalists calls for greater relations between media and the government.

Mr. Jiang says that there should be some management of the media by the government. However, he does not mean "control" and suggests that to ensure fairness for Chinese media organizations is economic independence.

Mr. Arthur Sulzberger, Jr, Chairman of The New York Times, emphasized the promotion of press freedom to maintain journalistic integrity in the face of prosecution by governmental bodies.

"When any government tells us what must appear on the pages of our newspapers, television and radio broadcasts and websites, we lose our identity as journalists and become something else - a spokesman for the authorities."

Citing the examples of Judy Miller of the New York Times and Matt Cooper of Time Magazine, who were given the choice to either to violate confidential sources or face prosecution, Mr. Sulzberger urged the need for the journalistic community to support the "federal shield law."