WSJ to launch new technology section for Europe

Posted by Savita Sauvin on June 28, 2010 at 5:29 PM

The Wall Street Journal plans to leverage its reputation in the United States for its technology coverage and will soon launch a new technology section for its European readers, Journalism.co.uk reported last week. The new section will cover technology business start-ups, entrepreneurs, gadgets and service activities in the tech business in Europe.

While the shape and structure of the upcoming tech section is still undecided, it will incorporate technology content from the United States edition and from the regional market as well, providing a mix of news and commentary that include "straightforward top quality reporting" supported by analysis on Heard on the Street and other blogs.

The new section will not chase every technological angle and avoid "baseless speculations," according to Neil McIntosh, editor of WSJ Europe. "We want people to feel they can absolutely trust what appears on the site." The section will have to tread "a very careful line," to provide balanced output while outsourcing blog content. While some content might go behind the paywall, and the news website will continue to follow a "mixed approach."

As part of the digital expansion efforts, publisher Dow Jones has advertised six vacancies for its online and mobile division, including the vacancy for an editor for its new technology section, a news editor and assistant news editor who will work cross-platform and a business development manager.

"We're expanding fast and the commercial operation is growing similarly. We're launching a lot of products," McIntosh told Journalism.co.uk. "That's what a lot of these roles are about - and then monetising that growth as well."

WSJ Europe currently offers an iPhone app, a mobile Web edition and plans to announce an iPad edition for the European market soon.