Survey reveals Korean newspapers’ digital divide

A new survey by the Korea Press Foundation has highlighted sharp disparities in the size and capabilities of digital teams at Korean newspapers, alongside ongoing organisational and technological hurdles hampering digital transition efforts.

The pilot survey, conducted between October and December last year, covered 28 media companies, including nine national general dailies such as Chosun Ilbo and Hankyoreh, seven economic dailies, two online-only outlets and ten regional newspapers.

It found that national titles operate significantly larger digital content teams, averaging around 12 staff members focused on editing and production. One major national daily was found to employ 21 digital staff. In contrast, regional dailies operate with teams of just four people on average, and some with only two.

These results are surprisingly as Korean news consumption is heavily digitally focused with newspapers recording sharp circulation declines. However, much of the readership is oriented towards portals rather than traditional newspapers.

The digital divide was also seen in other functions, such as service planning and user data analysis. National titles typically have 11 or more staff in these roles, while regional outlets have fewer than five. Economic newspapers and online outlets sit between the two but still fall short of the scale seen at the major national players.

While most media companies surveyed (24 out of 28) conduct some form of user data analysis, the survey found that efforts are basic, often limited to simple metrics like page views and visitor counts. Deeper insights are restricted by low user login rates, data privacy concerns and the dominance of third-party news portals, which limit direct user engagement and data access.

The report also flagged a general weakness in digital sales strategies. Although all the surveyed outlets have websites and many have apps, fewer than 60% support electronic payments, and most apps receive only basic security updates rather than improvements aimed at user experience or functionality.

When asked about recent technology priorities, national and economic dailies highlighted system maintenance and the adoption of generative AI, while online outlets focused on expanding platform reach, particularly through YouTube and mobile apps. Regional newspapers additionally prioritised revenue generation.

One of the clearest barriers to digital transformation identified by respondents was the persistence of a “reporter-centred culture” inside newsrooms. About one-third of digital staff at national and economic newspapers cited this as an obstacle. In regional titles, poor working conditions and low pay were also major concerns.

Leadership structures have not kept pace with digital needs. Most chief technology officers (CTOs) at national and economic newspapers come from reporting backgrounds rather than technology roles, and the survey found that CTOs, even where present, often have limited influence over broader organisational strategy.

Budget constraints and staff shortages remain critical hurdles. More than a quarter of respondents said that greater financial support for technology investment was their top need, followed by a demand for more digital hiring and specialised training.

In response to the findings, the Korea Press Foundation plans to launch a series of workshops in July for newsroom digital teams and management, as well as an expanded overseas training programme starting in May. The training will focus on digital reader analytics, vertical media strategies and practical AI applications.

Source: Noah Wire Services