‘Print still pays the bills’

Newly appointed editor of The Namibian Johnathan Beukes says the printed version remains the backbone of the publication’s revenue, despite its rapid expansion to digital and multimedia platforms.

Speaking to Desert FM on Friday, Beukes said while the media industry has shifted towards digital platforms, print continues to sustain the enterprise financially.

“Because our income is still heavily dependent on print. It doesn’t make sense to have print as an afterthought,” he said.

Beukes said although The Namibian has expanded across digital platforms, including a website, social media and a radio station, the financial returns from these platforms remain limited.

“Print has been carrying this institution even when multimedia became a thing,” he said.

His remarks come at a time when newsrooms globally are grappling with declining revenues and ongoing shifts in how audiences consume news.

Despite concerns about the future of print media, Beukes said the decline in print circulation appears to be stabilising.

“Print is not going to die. I think the decline has now kind of stabilised and we can take it from here,” he said.

Beukes, who recently became the third editor of The Namibian since its founding in 1985, said there is a need to reinvest in print while continuing to grow digital platforms.

“We need to reestablish and reinvest our time and efforts and resources into print, because that’s really where our readership is,” he said.

Beukes acknowledged the importance of reaching younger audiences, particularly those who consume content on digital platforms.

“If our 16-to-18-year-old readers are on TikTok, we need to find them there,” he said.

Reaching these audiences is not the main challenge, he said, but rather generating revenue from digital platforms.

“It’s a matter of us deriving some kind of income, because we spend a hell of a lot of resources on keeping those updated,” he said.

Beukes also raised concerns about declining reading habits among young people, saying more effort is needed to encourage a culture of reading.

“We need to make our children read. There’s no way past that. People need to read,” he said.

He referenced past initiatives such as distributing newspapers to rural schools as part of efforts to promote reading.

Looking ahead, Beukes said, the publication will continue to balance its traditional print operations with its growing digital presence while focusing on sustainability.

“We need to find our people where they are. But we shouldn’t neglect the goose that lays the golden eggs, which is print,” he said.

Beukes said the future of the publication lies in how well it integrates its various platforms, including print, digital and radio.

“With great dexterity and coordination,” he said when asked how these platforms should work together.

Beukes said The Namibian has grown significantly since he last worked at the publication.

He said the organisation will continue to build, investigate and invest in more platforms to ensure it reaches audiences wherever they are.

PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE

Beyond platforms and revenue, Beukes said a key focus area will be the people within the newsroom.

“We need to focus on the people,” he said.

He explained that this includes both the public and the journalists who gather and present the news.

“Those in the newsroom who bring the news, who go out there and research, talk to people, find the news and present it in a way that helps our readers,” he said.

“For a long time, media organisations didn’t really focus on the people inside the house,” he said.

Beukes said he is taking a cautious approach in his first days as editor, focusing on observation and consultation rather than immediate changes.

“I’ve adopted an observing stance. I’ve sat around, stood around, and spoken to a lot of people, but I haven’t done a lot,” he said.

“It won’t be my style to come in all guns blazing and changing stuff. It never works.”

He said the rebuilding process will involve engagement with both staff and readers.

“We will consult both inside and, very importantly, our readers outside on how to go about this process of rebuilding and renewing,” he said.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.