Digital media should be taken as revolution not as evolution: Phua

Published On: June 20, 2017 12:30 AM NPT By: Republica | @RepublicaNepal

KATHMANDU, June 20: “Quality of content is the key to success for both digital and print media. There should not be competition between print and digital media. But they should move together and digital media should be taken as revolution not as evolution,” said Helena Phua, executive vice president, Asia Pacific, The New York Times, in an interactive session held on Monday at Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Bouddha.

Phua along with Frances Kor, Head of Business, Asia Pacific, The New York Times, joined the session organized by Nepal Republic Media. Both of them shared their experiences working with The New York Times and talked about the current scenario of digital and publication business.

Phua has 20 years of experience working with the The New York Times which has existed for over 165 years now.

Sambridhi Gyawali, executive director, Nepal Republic Media, moderated the session. In the session participants from Nepal Republic Media included Subhash Ghimire, editor-in-chief of Republica English daily; Guna Raj Luitel, editor-in-chief of Nagarik daily, along with the chiefs of various bureaus and departments of Nepal Republic Media.

Phua answered various questions asked to her about human resource, digital media, marketing, print media, revenue generation, educating the market, value of the news room, trend of journalism among others.

Answering the question about how to differentiate the content of digital and print news, Phua answered, “Reading pattern is similar everywhere and reading a newspaper is luxury these days. The difference between digital and print news is that digital news are short and are replaced fast. Meanwhile, in print we cover similar news but have more breadth and depth.”

Phua added, “The key to sustaining in the market is transparency, communication and trust in the team. Every day is different and it makes my work interesting. In journalism, you have to keep learning as the world is changing everyday and the publication houses should have real world aspirations.”