Spain's newspaper publishers knock on the door of the state - online market grows
The Spanish newspaper publishers' association AEDE is demanding money from the state for the ailing industry. Turnover is expected to fall by 14 to 16 percent in 2008. In the online market, however, readers and advertising revenues are increasing.
In its White Paper for 2009, the Spanish newspaper publishers' association AEDE calls for help from the state. It is "surprising that the successively implemented rescue plans and public investment programs in Spain have so far omitted aid for the press," said Pilar de Yarza, chairman of the publishers' association. "Aid of the kind that is normal and customary in Finland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Portugal."
As reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, De Yarza predicts a drop in income of around eight percent for Spanish newspapers in 2008. In absolute figures, this would be a fall of 0.3 to 2.7 billion euros. He even estimates a 16 percent drop in sales, compared to a 5.9 percent increase in sales in 2007. The advertising industry institute Arce Media, on the other hand, expects a 14 percent drop in sales.
Several newspapers have already been closed in Spain in recent months, and job losses are progressing rapidly, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. Luis Muñiz, editor-in-chief of the specialist publication Noticias de la Comunicación, accused Spain's publishers of not having prepared for the crisis in good times. They had therefore been caught "on the wrong foot".
On the other hand, there are positive signals from the online market, where a strong increase can be observed: both the number of readers and advertising revenues rose by more than 20 percent.
As reported by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, De Yarza predicts a drop in income of around eight percent for Spanish newspapers in 2008. In absolute figures, this would be a fall of 0.3 to 2.7 billion euros. He even estimates a 16 percent drop in sales, compared to a 5.9 percent increase in sales in 2007. The advertising industry institute Arce Media, on the other hand, expects a 14 percent drop in sales.
Several newspapers have already been closed in Spain in recent months, and job losses are progressing rapidly, according to Süddeutsche Zeitung. Luis Muñiz, editor-in-chief of the specialist publication Noticias de la Comunicación, accused Spain's publishers of not having prepared for the crisis in good times. They had therefore been caught "on the wrong foot".
On the other hand, there are positive signals from the online market, where a strong increase can be observed: both the number of readers and advertising revenues rose by more than 20 percent.
