thelondonpaper rumors
Journalists – and responsible bloggers – shouldn’t be spreading rumors. So this one is a bit tricky. The sources seem to be OK, although the ‘proof’ seems paper-thin.
A trusted source – The Guardian’s Roy Greenslade – cites another credible source (The Observer) on rumors that Rupert Murdoch’s thelondonpaper is about to be closed so London Lite will remain the only free afternoon daily. A third credible source – Observer’s Peter Preston – is cited on his ’suggestion’ that both London free evening titles may be merged.
The free evening daily is now run by Murdoch’s son James – the idea, however, to launch a free daily, was Rupert’s own. London Lite was then launched (or rather converted from the free Standard Lite) to counter this paper.
The ‘proof’ is that thelondonpaper is not handed out any more at some tube stations. This, of course, is no proof at all. All sensible publishers of free dailies tweak distribution permanently.
If there is any proof, it’s not the distribution. Both papers have seen their readership increase, although London Lite is doing a little bit better with a lower circulation.
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
Hmmm…no rumours eh? TLP’s figures have constantly outdone the haemorraging Lite in any case so not much sense. Besides, if TLP were to close, where would Associated’s poor redundant Standard staff go off to work?
June 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
[...] denied In response to the rumors, voiced by the Guardian this weekend (see previous post) a spokesperson from News International said [...]