World press trends: Newspapers are a growth business

Newspapers in Albania increased their total paid circulation by 7.14 percent in 2007, according to the yearly survey conducted by the World Association of Newspapers (WAN). In 2006, the circulation of paid newspapers in Albania was 24.6 newspapers per 1,000 inhabitants. In 2007, Albania had 21 paid daily newspapers. Elsewhere in our region, the paid circulation of newspapers increased in Montenegro by 9.09 percent, in Greece by 1.91 percent, and Moldova experienced an exceptional increase by 21.20 percent. The paid circulation of newspapers in 2007 fell in Italy by 0.29 percent, in Macedonia by 3.57 percent, and Croatia by 6.25 percent. A closer look indicates that over the past five years, newspaper circulation declined in Albania by 1.32 percent.
Figures indicate that 2007 represented a turning point in the declining trend and the Albanian newspapers recouped some of their losses. During the same period, the circulation of paid newspapers declined in Macedonia by some 10 percent, in Italy by 3.80 percent, in Greece by 0.62 percent, Germany by 8.78 percent and United Kingdom by 10.14 percent. Over five years, the circulation of paid newspapers increased in Moldova by 278.75 percent, Montenegro by 33.33 percent, Bulgaria by 4.95 percent and Slovenia by 9.33 percent. The first Albanian free daily, Agon (Dawn), was introduced in 2007. Agon currently has a circulation of 20,000 copies per day. (Tirana Times Staff)