President Lula Salutes Boldness of Jornal do Brasil's 100% Digital Edition

RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- In an article in the pioneer edition of Jornal do Brasil (www.jb.com.br) as the first 100% digital newspaper in the country, this Wednesday (9/1/2010), President Lula highlights "JB's tradition of innovation." Lula emphasizes, "Brazil needs good newspapers. It does not matter if they are printed or on electronic platforms." For Lula, "starting today, Jornal do Brasil begins a new phase of daring."

Read the entire article below, as published in the first edition of JB 100% digital.

Jornal do Brasil: A new challenge for a trailblazing newspaper

Around for more than a century, Jornal do Brasil has been noted for having a tradition of innovation. After only a few years of being founded, it had the boldness to launch an editorial proposal intended for popular complaints. In the 1950's, it revolutionized Brazilian press with an editorial and graphic overhaul that established a new paradigm, giving new direction to all the newspapers of the day. In the 1970's it was a pioneer in the day-to-day coverage of the labor movement and of the metalworkers' strikes of ABC paulista. And I witnessed this. In the past decade of the last century, it was the first newspaper in the country to publish news on the Internet.

Starting today, JB begins a new phase of daring. It becomes the first of the traditional Brazilian dailies to renounce printed newspaper distribution. It will continue being published digitally, with news accessible on the Internet through paid subscription. It represents a new business plan, focused on a new era of technology and knowledge.

As a pioneer in territory that is still uncharted for Brazilian press, Jornal do Brasil will have a great challenge ahead: finding a format that balances ease-of-use and the portability of the new digital media with the organization and hierarchical order of information and events to be shared by the public in their social relations. A format that can benefit from a lower production cost while at the same time being capable of maintaining and exceeding the level of quality and credibility of the competing newspapers. The major secret of this adventure is encountering the financing formula that is adequate for the new enterprise and, at the same time, establishing a connection with collaborative reader participation, cementing a relationship based on confidence and loyalty.

Print journalism is going through a time of serious uncertainty around the whole world.  Academics are watching this experiment closely, as are owners and journalists of innumerable traditional publications in Brazil and abroad. I sincerely hope that Jornal do Brasil is able to find its path and emerge as a world-class publication with great influence on the formation of Brazilian public opinion.

Brazil needs good newspapers. It does not matter if they are printed or on electronic platforms. What is paramount is that they are of good quality and are committed to providing their readers with good information and discussing good ideas.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Republic of Brazil.

SOURCE JORNAL DO BRASIL