‘Since those issues of Newsbeat magazine that featured political news on their front cover were the poorest-selling issues over the past three years, the publisher of Newsbeat has recommended that the magazine curtail its emphasis on politics to focus more exclusively on economics and personal finance. She points to a recent survey of readers of general interest magazines that indicates greater reader interest in economic issues than in political ones. Newsbeat’s editor, however, opposes the proposed shift in editorial policy, pointing out that very few magazines offer extensive political coverage anymore. Write a response in which you discuss what questions would need to be answered in order to decide whether the recommendation and the argument on which it is based are reasonable. Be sure to explain how the answers to these questions would help to evaluate the recommendation.’This writer argues that Newsbeat magazine should cut back its coverage of politics because her statistics show that more readers are interested in economic issues than in political ones and that Newsbeat’s editor is mistaken in his belief that few magazines include political news anymore. Certainly, if the circulation of Newsbeat magazine is declining, then this editor is correct that there is little profit to be made in the news of political events. However, this writer’s assertion that the magazine’s new focus is to be on the financial implications of political events is questionable. Many readers may be interested in the results of proposed economic policies, but they may be unwilling to buy the magazine if they feel Newsbeat is biased in supporting one policy over another. If the editor believes that Newsbeat is biased, then he should consider switching to a magazine that does not have a political agenda. Furthermore, the statistics cited by the writer do not necessarily reflect the true nature of Newsbeat’s readership. Readers of general interest magazines may be interested in both political and economic issues, but they may not purchase Newsbeat if it is full of political news. As a result, it is difficult to conclude that Newsbeat’s editor is mistaken when he argues ‘that very few magazines offer extensive political coverage anymore.’There are several questions that would have to be answered in order to determine whether Newsbeat’s new focus would be reasonable. The most obvious question is whether the magazine’s circulation is actually declining. If the magazine is losing readers, then it is understandable that the publisher would look at new ways to increase profits. However, if the magazine’s circulation is stable, then the publisher would be acting irrationally by assuming that the new cover format would sell more copies. Furthermore, no matter how well Newsbeat’s editor understands the demographics of Newsbeat’s readership, he cannot know what readers are most interested in. Newsbeat’s editor is not in a position to make a judgment on this issue.

If Newsbeat’s circulation is indeed declining, then it is appropriate for the publisher to consider a new cover format. The publisher would be remiss, however, in assuming that the new cover format would attract more readers. The publisher would be just as shortsighted in assuming that the new format would be any more successful than the old format. Furthermore, there are many factors that can affect the sale of magazines. Is Newsbeat being sold through traditional bookstores or at newsstands? Is the new format available anywhere else? Has the economic situation in the country changed? Is there competition from other magazines? These questions would have to be answered before the publisher could make any decisions regarding Newsbeat’s future. If the publisher still believes that Newsbeat’s new format will increase profits, then she would be wise to institute a trial of the format before permanently changing the format.

For an additional perspective on whether Newsbeat’s new format would be successful, the editor should consider the demographics of Newsbeat’s readership. If the magazine’s readership is mostly elderly, then the decision of the publisher may be well founded. After all, older people are more interested in news about their elected officials than about the economy. However, if Newsbeat’s readership is mostly young and college-aged, then it may be unwise to focus primarily on economic news. Young people are much more likely to be interested in news about current events than older people, and young people may be less interested in articles about the economy than their parents. Furthermore, young people are more likely to rely on the internet for news, so they may not want to buy Newsbeat if its website does not provide the same information as the magazine. Overall, Newsbeat’s editor should examine his readership before making a decision about Newsbeat’s future.