Singapore – CNN and Reuters are the latest media organisations to launch digital paywalls as a way to support their newsroom activities, as well as sustaining their journalism work globally.

For CNN, users will have to pay US$3.99 per month while Reuters will charge US$1 per week. It is worth noting that both news organisations will offer a certain number of free articles per month before offering the digital paywall once they reach that threshold–albeit currently unidentified.

In an internal memo, Alex MacCallum, executive vice president of digital products and services at CNN, said, “In addition to unlimited access to CNN.com’s articles, subscribers will receive benefits like exclusive election features, original documentaries, a curated daily selection of our most distinctive journalism, and fewer digital ads.”

Meanwhile, in a separate memo sent by Mark Thompson, the chairman and chief executive of CNN over the summer, he said, “CNN would create best-in-class, subscription-ready products that will provide need-to-know news, analysis and context in compelling new formats and experiences, starting with CNN.com’s first subscription product launching before the end of 2024.”

On the other hand, Reuters’ subscription launch comes after a three-year delay, partly due to a disagreement between Reuters and financial data provider LSEG regarding whether the paywall would violate their news supply agreement. The current pricing is lower than the $34.99 per month Reuters had originally intended to charge in 2021.

Paul Bascobert, president at Reuters, said, “This new subscription plan ensures Reuters can expand the reach of its award-winning coverage at an affordable price, while allowing us to further invest in our reporting and products for subscribers.”

The introduction of paywalls by CNN and Reuters highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the media industry as it adapts to a shifting digital landscape. In an era where free content once dominated, these outlets are grappling with the need to balance revenue generation with audience retention. 

As traditional advertising models falter, paywalls reflect the broader struggle for sustainable business models, signalling a continued evolution in how news organisations deliver quality journalism while competing for consumer attention in an increasingly crowded and fragmented media ecosystem.

Tokyo, Japan – Global news agency Reuters has announced the relaunch of its Japanese-language site edition as part of the news agency’s position to strengthen its local readership amongst Japanese professionals and being their top news source.

The upgraded website introduces enhanced functionality, including a reorganized content structure, increased accessibility features and a responsive mobile web experience, to improve discovery and navigation through the site. 

Users will also have a multimedia-enriched experience with more prominent video placement throughout the site and increased use of embedded video, graphics and data modules within articles. 

Meanwhile, the site provides new ad formats for advertisers to reach Japanese audiences. The Japanese-language site also presents a new look and feel consistent with the global English-language Reuters.com.

Harold Geslai, senior manager for product management for Asia at Reuters, said, “The new Reuters Japan edition delivers an elevated mobile-first and video-rich news experience that provides users more convenient access to the world and business news shaping our world.”

Meanwhile, Josh London, head of Reuters Professional and chief marketing officer at Reuters, commented, “Professionals in Japan and globally rely on Reuters unmatched depth and breadth of coverage to empower smart decisions. The refreshed jp.reuters.com strengthens Reuters position as the source and destination for global intelligence for Japanese-speaking professionals.”

As part of the Japanese site launch, Reuters has also added a new Japan subsection on the global Reuters.com, available under its World section. The navigation update provides English-speaking audiences faster access to Reuters reporting from one of the leading global economies.

New York, USA – As the current world is currently seeking independent and unbiased reporting, global news organization Reuters has launched its first ever major brand campaign, adhering to their existing philosophy of journalism: tell all sides of stories but take none.

Made in partnership with brand and customer experience agency VMLY&R, ‘The Source’ takes back viewers to the company’s 170-year heritage to emphasize its reputation as one of the world’s most trusted news outlets.

A predominant theme in the campaign is the utilization of quotation marks in its creative as the universal symbol of reporting directly from the source. The quotation marks are employed to frame the truth at the heart of Reuters reporting, letting the story speak for itself.

“With 2500 journalists in 200 locations around the world, our strength spans markets and geographies, delivering the deep global and local expertise that is uniquely Reuters. ‘The Source’ campaign puts that unique value front and center, showcasing what Reuters has been for nearly two centuries: the place for trusted, unbiased news,” said Alessandra Galloni, editor-and-chief of Reuters.

For Josh London, CMO at Reuters and head of Reuters Professional, said campaign speaks to the pedigree of long-time journalism, as well as the evolution of Reuters and their continuous innovation in how they report and deliver the news.

“With the intense speed at which information travels and the proliferation of misinformation, people and organizations need a source they can rely on for the unfiltered truth. ‘The Source’ squarely tells them that place is Reuters,” London added.

Meanwhile, Tamryn Kerr, creative director at VMLY&R London, commented, “With journalists in every corner of the world, Reuters truly is the source for unbiased news and information. We are proud to have worked with some of the best journalists in the world to bring authenticity and journalistic authority to the campaign.”

The campaign is set to roll out first for their United States and United Kingdom markets.

Reuter’s Asia-Pacific presence is evident across 14 locations in the countries of India, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.