The impact of COVID-19 on the newspaper industry of Bangladesh
Newspaper circulation drops by 50-70% while online readership triples
The coronavirus pandemic has hit hard newspaper circulations around the world – including in
Bangladesh – although the demand for online news jumped up significantly.
With the enforcement of shutdown, lockdown and social distancing, print newspapers are not
reaching all homes. In many areas in Bangladesh, hawkers and outsiders are barred from entering
the neighborhood. In Dhaka, many hawkers have left for their village homes.
Accordingly, the national newspapers have all marked 50 to 70 percent drop in their circulations.
As many as 10 newspapers have suspended publication – given that the risk and cost of operation
could not justify continued printing.
This has left the media baffled and without any clear strategy on how the papers would survive if
the pandemic worsens in April and peaks in May. The papers do not even know if there would be
any sale at all – if things get worse, which it would.
In case things get worse and people stop buying newspaper altogether, Bangladesh would be left
with online-only journalism. Again the news websites will also continue to see drop in
advertisements as there is no sale. There will be no sale until the pandemic is over.
Source : The Business Standard
Questions
Q1. According to you, what should be their strategies (long/short-term) to survive and hold their
position strongly in future?
Q2. What changes or adaptations are required in the marketing mix (4P)? Please provide detailed
strategies.
