Daily Telegraph (UK) Reaps Circulation Windfall from MP Expenses Scandal

The UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper has been reaping a circulation windfall after first publishing details of the expenses rorts of British Members of Parliament (MPs) on 8 May 2009.  This article in the Gurdian's media section details how the Telegraph's sales have been boosted an average of 60,000 copies per day (7% of their April 2009 average daily circulation of 817,692), as the embarrasing details of MP's expense claims have been laid bare day by day.  The Daily Telegraph's scoop has prompted a raft  of similar parliamentary expenses probes by newspapers around the world, no doubt in search of their own circulation bump - not that the fourth estate shouldn't be rewarded for "keeping them honest". Although the Telegraph's scoop came courtesy of a whistleblower (most likely paid), it's nice to know that a big, public interest story can still cause a rush on news stands - editors of struggling papers take note ...

Who cares about Foreign Affairs?

In an increasingly globalised world, do we know enough about each other? Do we know what makes other countries tick? More to the point do we care?

It may come as a shock to some to know that in the USA and other countries, the coverage of international events by the media is declining. An article by Tara Sonenshine posted on the Media Channel  quotes research showing that coverage of international events by American journalism is declining more than any other subject. For example one study reported, 64% of participating newspaper editors csaying that their papers had reduced the space for international news.

Should we be concerned about this decline?

What do you think?