France: Young people are reading newspapers again - thanks to free subscriptions
Since early October, all French citizens between the ages of 18 and 24 have been able to subscribe to one issue per week of a daily newspaper of their choice free of charge. The newspapers provide the copies free of charge, and the government covers the delivery costs.
The French government's decision to support the ailing press industry with additional subsidies totaling 600 million euros over the next three years has caused some controversy in the European media industry. Since the beginning of the year, there has been a lively debate as to whether it is justified for the state to provide the press, which is struggling with falling advertising revenues and readers migrating to the Internet, with large amounts of funding.
According to the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the French concept of free subscriptions for young adults has been proving its worth for several years. For example, the highest-circulation regional daily newspaper Ouest France has increased its readership in the 18 to 24 age group by 22,000 in three years, according to Pressetext.ch.
According to the World Association of Newspapers (WAN), the French concept of free subscriptions for young adults has been proving its worth for several years. For example, the highest-circulation regional daily newspaper Ouest France has increased its readership in the 18 to 24 age group by 22,000 in three years, according to Pressetext.ch.
