Product category:
Media
News Release from: The Audit Bureau of Circulations - ABC
Edited by the Marketingservicestalk Editorial
Team on 14 May 2007
ABC probes London freesheet dumping
allegations
The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has carried out an urgent review into the allegations of dumping within the London evening freesheet market.
This review was immediately instigated by ABC despite the absence of a complaint from either Associated Newspapers or News International following the publication of a video and photographs Both publishers have made available to ABC the evidence they have relating to the alleged dumping of newspapers
This article was originally published on Marketingservicestalk on 30 Mar 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
Related stories
ABC unveils launch dates for press group reports
ABC has confirmed the monthly release dates for 2007 Group Product Reports that include ABC and ABC Electronic audited data for both print and website editions of national newspapers.
JICWEBS ratifies recruitment metrics
The Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards has introduced three metrics for ABC Electronic to audit, enabling online recruitment websites to measure job application-related activities.
ABC has conducted groundwork surveillance of the hand distribution operations for thelondonpaper and London Lite and has reviewed, in detail, the publishers' distribution processes and controls for hand distribution.
The review has identified that copies of newspapers are being dumped which is, obviously, not compliant with the ABC rules.
This has always been a potential risk with this form of distribution.
Publisher control and management of a third-party workforce is key to ensure that instances of non-compliance are minimised.
According to the industry agreed standards, the publisher is responsible for ensuring that the figures are compliant with the rules.
The purpose of the audit is to confirm that the publisher has genuine and accurate evidence to support their claim.
The process of reporting distribution figures relies on good, accurate data being supplied to ABC.
ABC is satisfied that the reported figures for April are materially compliant.
Having identified the distinct risk associated with hand distribution, ABC, in conjunction with publishers, has been working on improving the publisher management controls still further.
The publishers had begun instigating improvements to their systems and following this review, ABC will be requiring additional improvements to the management control and reporting of the distribution.
Trust in the accuracy of the reported figures is of paramount importance to the market.
The following actions will be taken by ABC as a result of this review: focus on increased internal publisher controls, compliance checking and complaints handling; increased, regular spot checks within the distribution areas to monitor the effectiveness of publishers' compliance procedures; ongoing review of hand distribution and ABC certification by industry representatives; consideration given to the introduction of a complaints line so that members of the public can report on alleged dumping and distribution infringements.
• The Audit Bureau of Circulations - ABC: contact details and other news
• Email this article to a colleague
• Register for the free Marketingservicestalk email newsletter
• Marketingservicestalk Home Page
Search the Pro-Talk network of sites
