The trolling gestapo prevents me posting comments in Martin Longman’s stories … so I’ll stick to the right side and diaries …
The hiring of their new right-wing columnists may fit their new business model to compete with the daily news cycle of social media and “breaking news” events.
Trump is single-handedly saving the news industry | MW | by Mark Ritson - 24 May 2017
Donald Trump’s chaotic presidency is highlighting the importance of trusted news brands and driving consumers towards the only model that can save the industry – paid subscriptions.
The New York Times has openly and consistently critiqued Trump from the outset of his political journey. In return, President Trump has attacked the Times via his Twitter account with unprecedented ferocity, even by his standards. His constant jibes about the “failing” nature of America’s most famous newspaper represent a clear attempt to get even with a title that operates with a barely concealed disdain for the President and his methods.
Trump’s attacks aren’t just proving inaccurate and unsuccessful, they may well be fuelling a dramatic and important renaissance at The New York Times. Subscriptions over the last 12 months are up, massively, and most explanations centre on the Times’ critical coverage of the White House and public desire to support a masthead clearly under attack by the President. Shares in the newspaper have risen more than 40% since Trump’s election victory [Dec. 1 $10.90 risen to $24.10 today – Oui] and in a remarkable twist it recently announced quarterly profits that beat even the most bullish forecasts.
More below the fold …
By taking an enemy in Trump the Times has strengthened its brand awareness and daily saliency while also bolstering its associations and attractiveness to readers. The only slight concern for the Times and other American newspapers is if they ultimately succeed in their hunt of the Trump. Impeachment or any other unsavoury dénouement would surely sell yet more papers and more subscriptions for a while, but it would also ultimately kill the golden-haired goose currently laying so many lovely eggs.
Whether it’s as a symbolic figure of hate that galvanises and motivates left-leaning subscribers, or more simply as a spectacularly fertile source for daily news fodder, Trump is proving to be a godsend for the news media. He may not be making America great again, but he’s doing a lot to help newspapers get back up there right now. If he eventually goes because of them, they will only have themselves to blame. The prospect of a stable, unifying 46th President and a return to business as usual should fill them with dread.
My earlier post was troll-rated –
The Times has mostly been a fanboy of neocons and pro-Israel policy. Agree with GG on this one …
My criticism of Bret Stephens isn’t scant – Rescuing Human Rights. A December article in the NY Times – Jerusalem Denial Complex.
To fill the gap left by William Safire …That’s where Judith Miller fitted in well, plus the Times editor in Jerusalem indicates the truth that will be forever propagated.
