ABC to launch new community newspaper audit service

The board of the Audit Bureau of Circulations gave initial approval to launch a new ABC Community Newspaper Audit service that will feature streamlined, off-site audits that occur every other year. The initiative also simplifies rules and reporting requirements and will enable community papers’ circ data to be included in Fas-Fax and ABC's searchable online database.
Pending final approval, the service will be available to all U.S. and Canadian newspapers with paid circulation under 25,000, beginning Jan. 1, 2010.
Meantime, the board agreed to extend for one year the testing of an optional consolidated report that allows newspapers to display a variety of print, online and other audience data.
In June, ABC released the first such report for the Chicago Tribune and Tribune Media Group.
The ABC board also gave final approval to a rule modification that allows U.S. and Canadian newspapers with average weekday paid circulation under 50,000 to break out "power days" if they opt not to report their circulation each day of the week.