All About Newspapers

‘Newspapers need to be
relevant in the digital world’

A driving force in reshaping the newspaper industry, Jacob Mathew, executive editor and publisher of the Malayala Manorama Group of Publications in Kerala, who became the first Indian to hold the presidency of the global organisation of the world’s press, WAN-IFRA, beginning his two-year term on July 01, 2011, has been striving to handle the different challenging situations in a positive manner. Under his astute guidance, the Malayala Manorama group publishes 50 publications, along with its flagship newspaper Malayala Manorama, as well as has the 24-hour news broadcast channel Manorama News and FM Radio stations. A brief interaction with Jacob on multifaceted topics, most relevant today by All About Newspapers (AAN). Excerpts.

AAN: What are major challenges before newspaper industry, especially in India? And how can the industry face these?

Jacob Mathew: Time is a key factor. All platforms are working to get maximum attention of the viewer or reader. Another challenge is to attract the youth of today to your publication.

The internet and digital technology have changed distribution of content to new devices and the web. Content creation costs are probably the same for all media streams. Newspapers have to charge for content to make money. But it is to be seen if the digital media can support the user friendly and diverse range of advertising that the larger format print medium supports. Another point to consider is, will the present print subscribers be comfortable with online or mobile?

AAN: Increasing Government regulations on ‘press’ is one of the major issues to deal with. How news publishers community can better defend ‘freedom of press’. To what extent, ‘self-regulation tools’ can be effective in this regard?

Jacob Mathew: Governments across the world must protect a free press. This is important for all nations. However, the credibility of the media is under public scrutiny, especially after the recent events in the UK. One should not cross the ethical line. It calls for self correction and introspection in the media industry. The important point here is that an increased government regulation is not the answer. Effective self regulation is what is to be encouraged and practiced.

AAN: What are your goals to achieve during your term as president of WAN-IFRA?

Jacob Mathew: WAN-IFRA is committed to a strong free press. Any media has to reflect the public opinion, and a free press plays an important role in the process. WAN-IFRA is looking at new strategies in focusing on emerging technologies like mobiles and tablets. The media industry needs to look at doing things differently and the speed of innovation needs to be scaled up. Earlier, as two separate entities - WAN and IFRA - there was a clear focus by each on publishers’ needs and technical needs. Today, the united organization will have to provide both in the appropriate proportion. Increasingly, new revenue models will take priority for publishers and editors. WAN-IFRA has to take the lead in showcasing these. Since the objectives are in place, they are the priorities for execution.

AAN: Large investment in prepress, press, mailroom, premises is required for print facility as against almost zero investment for digital platform. What do you think about it?

Jacob Mathew: The internet and digital technology have changed distribution of content to new devices and the web. Content creation costs are probably the same for all media streams, but print has to bear the cost of paper, cost of sophisticated machinery and the high cost of physical distribution. As a result newspapers are under tremendous pressure in mature markets like America and Europe. In Asia, there is still a growth story.

For the digital media, distribution costs are probably lower as the internet gets cheaper and faster due to use of advanced technology. Advertisers will always go where there are readers. Newspapers need to be relevant in the digital world.

AAN: Your opinion about Indian web offset manufacturers producing much affordable presses in meeting the demand of small and mid level newspapers?

Jacob Mathew: Today there are several Indian manufacturers of web offset presses offering speeds of 15,000 copies per hour to 70,000 copies per hour.

Governments across the world must protect a free press. This is important for all nations. However, the credibility of the media is under public scrutiny, especially after the recent events in the UK. One should not cross the ethical line. It calls for self correction and introspection in the media industry. The important point here is that an increased government regulation is not the answer. Effective self regulation is what is to be encouraged and practiced.

I would estimate that over 95 percent of the small and mid level newspapers use local presses and most of the remainder may be using used presses from abroad.

Of course prices range from low to high, based on the quality and speeds. The latest 4 x 1 format design is meant for high capacity printing at 70,000 cph. However, the manufacturers have received several requests from medium newspapers to make the 4 x 1 press at speeds of 45,000 to 50,000 cph to meet their requirements of higher pagination – all in colour; at a more affordable cost than the 70,000 cph model.

With such a vast range of quality, speed and prices available, it would be difficult for international manufacturers to be competitive for the SME segment; even after customs duty rationalisation over the years has brought it almost at par with the domestic excise duty. At the higher end of the range, there are signs that manroland and Mitsubishi have launched developing country specific models. As yet there is no confirmation that the price is right.

AAN: What you have to convey about editors or publishers creating content in the larger interest of humanity?

Jacob Mathew: In the communication business, you are selling credibility. It is as important as the content. To attract readers or viewers, one has to be ‘credible’ on every platform. You then emerge as the winner.

AAN: What should be done to stop killing of journalists? Should we, journalists, take initiative to unveil criminal elements at the early stage possible?

Jacob Mathew: The exposure story should go through the passing test. Some newspapers overcome the threat by not allowing a single individual to do the story. They assign a team. Then the people involved in the act also will know that if those elements eliminate one person then the paper will aggressively follow up the issue as the team members know the details gathered till then. If it is an effort by a single person then whatever he has collected till then is lost by the killing. Some journalists who are doing it solo write the story so far and forward it to the editor for safe storage. Some take the caution to inform a trusted colleague where he is going. We must certainly expose the criminal elements. But since it is concerning media fraternity we should be guarded against over-enthusiasm.