BaZ remains the only rag splitters
The BaZ plans to start charging for its "Publishers' Cultural Tips" section in the future. This is a practice that is unlikely to catch on.
In future, BaZ wants to charge publishers for cultural tips. The Basler Zeitung (BaZ) intends to charge between 5 and 20 francs for such tips from November onwards, arguing that cultural tips are not editorial contributions but fee-based entries. The Basel cultural scene is therefore boycotting the BaZ. Negotiations are underway. But how are other newspapers dealing with the BaZ proposal? "The tabular tips for going out in our agenda are and will remain free. We provide as many tips as possible, but the editors decide on the selection and length. In this way, we offer our readers an overview of what's going on culturally in our catchment area." This is how Markus Gisler, editor-in-chief of the Aargauer Zeitung, outlines the philosophy in Rüebliland.
It sounds similar at the St. Galler Tagblatt (SGT). "There are no plans to charge for this customer loyalty tool," says publishing director Daniel Ehrat, citing long-term considerations: "Our aim is to make the SGT the information provider that people turn to as soon as they need information about our region."
In Zurich, too, there are no plans to turn cultural tips into classified advertisements. "Short entries in ZüriTipp or on the Bellevue page of the Tages-Anzeiger are free of charge, a fee is not currently under discussion," says Eta Pavlovic from Tamedia. NZZ Publishing Director Tobias Trevisan emphasizes: "At the NZZ, tips are selected according to journalistic criteria." This is exactly the same for stock market prices. "They are also free of charge and the editorial team is free to leave out barely traded stocks."
Marco Boselli, editor-in-chief of 20 Minuten, sees the free entry in the What's up agenda as a reader service. The agenda will even be expanded. This has nothing to do with the dispute in Basel. 20 Minuten Basel is not a substitute platform for the Basel cultural scene. "For our young target audience, we focus on parties and events."
Markus Knöpfli
It sounds similar at the St. Galler Tagblatt (SGT). "There are no plans to charge for this customer loyalty tool," says publishing director Daniel Ehrat, citing long-term considerations: "Our aim is to make the SGT the information provider that people turn to as soon as they need information about our region."
In Zurich, too, there are no plans to turn cultural tips into classified advertisements. "Short entries in ZüriTipp or on the Bellevue page of the Tages-Anzeiger are free of charge, a fee is not currently under discussion," says Eta Pavlovic from Tamedia. NZZ Publishing Director Tobias Trevisan emphasizes: "At the NZZ, tips are selected according to journalistic criteria." This is exactly the same for stock market prices. "They are also free of charge and the editorial team is free to leave out barely traded stocks."
Marco Boselli, editor-in-chief of 20 Minuten, sees the free entry in the What's up agenda as a reader service. The agenda will even be expanded. This has nothing to do with the dispute in Basel. 20 Minuten Basel is not a substitute platform for the Basel cultural scene. "For our young target audience, we focus on parties and events."
Markus Knöpfli
