The New Statesman soars in less than liberal media landscape

In a media landscape dominated by publishers which lean to the right, you’d be forgiven for thinking that perhaps more liberal and left-wing publications are a dying breed. Jason Cawley, editor at The New Statesman, will tell you differently.

In fact, Cawley’s magazine is in rude health and recently celebrated its highest print circulation (35,000 copies) in 35 years. The online edition is also doing rather well with traffic soaring above 4 million unique viewers in June of this year (although many other publications also reported a massive rise in users surrounding the EI referendum).

Cawley puts the magazine’s success down to a return to its founding principles of creating a high-class weekly review of politics and literature, beholden to no single political party.

Cawley told journalists: “While much of the liberal media has been struggling to survive in a declining market dominated by powerful media groups, the New Statesman has not merely held its position but expanded dramatically.

“We have succeeded by returning to the founding mission of the magazine, which was to create a high-class weekly review of politics and literature, beholden to no one political party.

“Today’s record figures are the result of a relentless commitment to quality, sceptical and unpredictable politics, innovative special issues, investment in emerging talent, and a smart digital strategy. This is the best possible platform from which to cover these momentous new times.”

Much of the magazines success has been attributed to their aggressive digital expansion strategy, including innovative use of podcasts, email newsletters and new microsites, which have helped the news brand generate traffic and build its international readership.

The New Statesman joins a small number of “traditional” publishers (including The Economist) who have actually bolstered their success by embracing new technology rather than throwing stones at it.