DIGITAL PUBLICATION AUDITING IS UNVEILED AS THE NEW AUDIT COMMITTEE RENEWS PROMISE TO DELIVER TRANSPARENCY, CREDIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.
ABC unveils Digital Publication metrics in further strengthening its role in the media’s broadening landscape while the composition of the Committee reflects the backing of the media and marketing industry in the body.
PETALING JAYA, NOVEMBER 20, 2015 – The sluggish economic conditions and escalating cost of living may have marginally contributed towards a decline of 6% (Newspapers – Print Edition) between January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015 against the July 1 2014 to December 31, 2014 period, the Audit Bureau of Circulations Malaysia (ABC) revealed.
ABC Chairman Mr. Fan Chen Yip, in presenting the latest audit report, asserted that while print publications showed downward circulation trends, the gains from digital circulation offers more than an uplifting signpost.
Digital Replica Circulation continued to grow during the period, January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2015. It grew by 30% compared to the July 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014 period.
“Many of our Members are actively disseminating news in the digital sphere as more devices become available and affordable. We are very encouraged by the continuing increase in digital circulation. As a matter of fact, digital replica copies grew by 148% in the last two years, compared to the January – June 2013 figures. Admittedly, the base is much lower but such an impressive growth trajectory is certainly commendable,” said Mr. Fan.
Audit Committee Chairman Ms. Foong Ai Peng, who is also ABC’s Vice-Chairman, added that the Digital Publication data is part of ABC’s regular review of Circulation Standard Report (CRS).
Last revised in 2012, the latest improvement was conducted to enhance ease of reference and to remove duplication by bundling the CRS into a single reference document. The amended copy is also updated with the latest guidelines from IFABC.
“We consulted our Members before introducing the Circulation Reporting Standards for the audit of Digital publications sold and distributed by our members. These standards will take effect for the Audit of Circulation / Distribution Figures for the period January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2016. The Net Circulation / Distribution Figures of this period will be announced by ABC by end November 2016,” Foong revealed.
“We are conscious of the heavy responsibility that has been passed on to us by the previous Board which, under Mr. Karthi Palanisamy’s chairmanship, undertook the revision of the CRS. We thank Karthi and the previous Board Members for initiating the CRS for Digital Publications and we must now continue to step up our capabilities in the audit of digital products,” Fan said, as he welcomed two new Members, Majalah Al–Ustaz and The Edge Financial Daily into the widening ABC membership base.
“As a first step toward an increasingly digital-centric ABC, the newly appointed Board has immediately revamped the existing ABC website (www.abcm.org.my), to make it much more mobile-friendly and simplify the navigation of the wealth of information available.
“We are restructuring the ABCi Sub-Committee and are working closely with Malaysian Digital Association (MDA) to establish an acceptable audit mechanism based on cost-and-benefit.
“ABC are also reaching out to Asia-Pacific Audit Bureau of Circulations (APABC) for guidance on digital auditing as we develop industry-wide metrics for print and the rapidly rising digital channels,” he concluded.
To view the Jan-June 2015 reports, kindly click here.
To view the press conference photos, kindly click here.
