Corriere del Ticino helps Giornale del Popolo

The decline in advertising revenues in the print sector is particularly pronounced in Italian-speaking Switzerland, according to a press release from the two newspapers. The launch of 20 Minutes by Tamedia in September 2011, for example, had a negative impact, while the advertising marketer Tretop Ticino, which combines the three newspapers Corriere del Ticino, La Regione Ticino and Giornale del Popolo, suffered a 40 percent drop in revenue. The smallest of the three newspapers, Giornale del Popolo, was hit particularly hard. The independent, Catholic daily newspaper has been in existence for 86 years and is an asset to the media landscape of Italian-speaking Switzerland. A new strategy has been adopted to ensure its continued existence.

Closer logistical cooperation with the daily newspaper Corriere del Ticino should help. The latter already holds a stake in Giornale del Popolo via the Timedia Group. Giornale del Popolo will retain its editorial independence, but costs are to be reduced by exploiting synergies. From January 2013, the collaboration with Corriere del Ticino will be strengthened. Parts of the editorial teams will be merged and the systems standardized. This should enable not only logistical but also editorial synergies to be exploited. According to the press release, however, it will be ensured that journalistic autonomy remains intact. The editor-in-chief of Giornale del Popolo will also continue to be appointed by the Bishop of Lugano. The diocese of Lugano holds 51 percent of the title.

Although Giornale del Popolo says that job cuts are necessary, it is trying to achieve the targeted reduction through natural fluctuation: Those leaving due to retirement or job changes would no longer be replaced.