News Ltd chief calls on mobiles to lead the way: PANPA Forum

Mobile phones and the iPad represent the most exciting developments for news, but do not spell an end of print, according to John Hartigan, chairman and CEO of News Limited.

In his opening address at this year's PANPA Future Forum, Hartigan (pictured) announced that mobile phone devices (namely apps) had created a "tipping point" that he believes has changed journalism for the better.

Moving forward, News Limited will use technology at greater levels, engaging with mobile phone apps and the iPad to bring news to its readers faster, and in a more interesting way.

"People will pay for convenience, speed and someone to curate content for them," Hartigan said.

"We need to get over ourselves and realise that this is a great opportunity – not a threat."

What this does not mean is an end of newspapers – at least not for News Limited.

"I'm not giving up on print – our audiences will engage with newspapers for years to come," Hartigan said.

He also revealed that at some point, News Limited will make a decision regarding paywalls on its websites, along with developing a strategy to utilise social media as best as possible.

"It [social media] is redefining what's news to people," he said. "It's an area we're doing an enormous amount of work on. We've got to find ways to be part of that conversation."