Asian English Language Newspapers Increasing Readership

Asian English Language Newspapers Increasing Readership

Posted by Tawan , Reader : 263 , 11:34:57
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Last month the editors from the Japan Times, the Korean Herald and the Taipei Times got together to discuss “Challenges for English Language Newspapers in East Asia”, it was jointly organized with the University of Tokyo. Challenges that were addressed was the declining circulation of English Language Newspapers as the result of the internet and the differences in the types of news published between the local newspapers which tend to be more Nationalistic and the English Language Newspapers that brought a more international viewpoint while balancing that viewpoint with local viewpoints.
Two very interesting stories were discussed to illustrate this strategy the “Whaling issue in Japan” and the “Lone Star investment bank in Korea”. The whaling story has very little interest from the local Japanese newspapers believing that Australia is an outside interferer in Japan’s domestic preferences. The Japan Times had the unique opportunity to explain to the world Japanese views and World opinion that readers could not find in local newspapers.
The US private equity fund Lone Star Funds South Korea’s head of operations was found guilty of stock manipulation and the executive sent to prison for five years. Of course the foreign community argued it was bad for foreign investment and the local papers argued that typical of US business practices are short term gains and then pull those gains out of Korea and invest somewhere else. The Korean Herald was able to report both sides.
Asian English language newspapers by being able to provide both a local and global perspective increases readership globally, regionally, and locally. Increasing readership also brings in more advertising dollars. This has been accomplished by investing in and adapting new technologies.
On the political side Kaori Hayashi San moderator pointed out that often times Japanese politicians think that they are talking to just a Japanese audience and make statements that makes them look foolish in the world because they are not aware that their statements and actions are read globally. Thus Japanese politicians should be more aware of their global image. The world is watching. Global backlash can and does sometime end a politician’s career. Amber Chang pointed out that in Taiwan and Japan reporters are very friendly with politicians who in return are friendly toward the media and that politicians often times give their cell phone numbers to reporters contrasted with the US politicians that are wary of media and very aloof.
In this internet age English Language newspapers are adding more services through technology. They are extending their cooperative reach to other parts of Asia media and universities. The Korean Herald has 70% readership by local Korean readers. Learning English is the main interest and technology has given Asian readers services like stories in the newspaper are read aloud over the internet by native speakers so that English can be improved.
English Newspaper circulation may be small but readership is growing. It is building a bridge between the host country and regional Asian countries as well as the world. English is the common language for information exchange between countries. But the best mission statement was given by Amber Chang of the Taipei Times “ To bring Taiwan to the world and the world to Taiwan” only an English Language newspaper can accomplish this mission statement.
Cooperation is a main goal for Asian English Language Newspapers. In Thailand we are also curious and interested in the lives of our Asian regional neighbors and in their experiences and viewpoints. I look forward to more cooperation between Asian Language Newspapers. Readership in this environment is bound to increase.