The Australian newspaper bucked the global trend of advertising decline caused by the global recession, as it turned in an increase in display advertising and will look to begin charging for bundled online content soon, according to Editor-in-Chief Chris Mitchell, the newspaper reported on its Web site Thursday.

Mitchell said the newspaper aims to begin charging for online content within the next 12 to 18 months, and has stood strong despite the economic climate and the industry wide advertising decline, reporting that the paper had seen increases in advertising dollars especially in the business section.
Rupert Murdoch, chairman and chief executive officer of The Australian's parent company New Corporation, said the company was exploring different models of online subscription.

Mitchell described the future online service as a bundle package of information, amalgamating content from a number of services which would include sister publications the Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, as well as other international publications.