What does fake news mean for print media?

With the arrival of Donald Trump in the Oval Office, many of us around the world are still wondering exactly how that came about. We can be sure of one thing: dull, it will not be!

Trump has firm views on everything – the media included – and isn’t shy of telling us. “Fake news!” he blasted back at some unfortunate hack who happened to represent Buzzfeed when the Russian dossier allegations surfaced. A week later, by contrast, and his first interview with British media was with Michael Gove MP, back in his original journalistic shoes at The Times.

There’s a serious point here. In a world now awash with ‘news’, it is the established, world-renowned Thunderer that has the kudos, gravitas and authority to get to the front of the media queue with the new president, not some new kid on the block. This editorial authority is based on the firm foundations of long-standing editorial integrity and high journalistic standards, without which The Times would be right down there with the Buzzfeeds of this world.

Furthermore, the Times and Sunday Times brands – amongst others - are making robust progress in the digital age with their print and online combined subscriptions, and thus are establishing a powerful answer to the astonishing growth in advertising revenues enjoyed by Google and Facebook. There is real value in print brands yet.

I hope you will find this and our future bulletins interesting, informative and useful, and if there is anything we can do to help, please don't hesitate to contact me on 0207 611 8148 or chris@canopymedia.co.uk