Web war in the West
Fairfax Media has launched its online news service in Perth called WA Today.
“This is a significant expansion for Fairfax Media and we are very proud to bring our brand of quality and independent journalism to Western Australia,” Fairfax chairman Ron Walker said.
Chief executive David Kirk said more than 1.3 million people in Western Australia access the internet each month and 188,000 of these already use Fairfax Digital websites.
“There is unprecedented growth and development in Western Australia. It is a fantastic place to do business and we know that there is a strong appetite for an additional online news and information source,” Mr Kirk said.
“We have a talented and dedicated team of multimedia journalists on the ground in Perth.
“They will be housed with their colleagues at Fairfax Radio’s 6PR and will file local news updates continuously throughout the day.”
The move is modelled on Fairfax’s successful online venture in Queensland with the Brisbane Times, which vies with News Ltd’s monopoly print publication The Courier Mail for digital market share.
In Western Australia The West has a weekday print monopoly and has come under fire from the State Government for its editorial policies.
The online competition was eagerly anticipated in many quarters, but not all critics are impressed with the Fairfax effort.
According to Business Spectator, the new site is expected to pressure West Australian Newspapers’ advertising levels for The West, despite WAN chief executive Ken Steinke claiming he was unconcerned by the company’s frosty relationship with the WA Government, and its possible effect on ads and revenues for the company.
“It doesn’t worry me. The (WA) Government will place ads where they get the best results for taxpayers,” Mr Steinke said.
Comments
Leave a Reply