Media experts that we spoke to suggested that they risk being
charged with false advertising.
We aren't quite sure where to find their latest circulation
figures (or if the AJN even bothers to get audited these days), but we did find
this thanks to Google:
showing us that in December 2010 their circulation was 3897 -
and going south. It wouldn't be unreasonable to presume that two and half years
later that figure would be closer to 3500 - if not less.
Now lets's have a look at the same AJN (from the edition 2 weeks
ago) where they reported the results of the latest census which showed that the
Jewish population of NSW - mostly in Sydney - was 39731.
So the AJN wants us to believe that each copy of their newspaper
is actually read by 10 people!
We wonder how well that would go down with the ACCC and their views on "Misleading &
deceptive conduct" and false
advertising.
One often wonders
when seeing non-Jewish advertisers spending big dollars with the AJN, what
circulation figures they have been sold. A previous editor of the newspaper
admitted publicly that "the Jewish News isn’t a newspaper based on
circulation".
Looks like the current powers that be have gone back to making
unbelievable circulation claims.
Let's hope it doesn't get them into an embarrassing public mess.
One finds that all newspapers - particularly ethnic ones - like to claim wider readership than they have sales. In other words, they claim that several people read the one purchased copy. This is probably likely with the AJN - family members will read the one copy at their parents' or grandparents' home on a Friday night.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I concur with your posting that "100% reach" is misleading, to say the least. I share your view that an audited circulation figure for the AJN would be significantly lower than 100%...
Most Jewish families unfortunately do not have that much touted Friday night family dinner.
ReplyDeleteThe AJN readership claim is highly doubtful and would not stand up to a formal crutiny
"Most Jewish families unfortunately do not have that much touted Friday night family dinner."
ReplyDeleteI think you'd be surprised. Anecdotal evidence has shown some kind of Shabbat commemoration on a Friday night by a large number of Australian Jews, be it candles, kiddush, challah or simply a family meal.
BH the pintele Yid refuses to let go!
I wonder what would happen if an advertiser confronted the Jewish News with the post?
ReplyDeleteI think they would repay every penny rather than risk the publicity of an AAC investigation.