The FAZ’s hip little brother

This spring, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has launched a new printed weekly magazine called the Frankfurter Allgemeine Woche. The publishers claim it should be a new “modern and opinion-forming” newspaper format. The typical reader is described as a successful young or mid-aged person who is too busy for studying a whole newspaper every day. “The FAW offers the reader a full summary and analysis of the current affairs towards the weekend.” (See: http://www.faz.net/aktuell/die-frankfurter-allgemeine-woche-ist-das-neue-deutsche-wochenmagazin-14189733.html). As the newspaper only consists of about 70 pages it can be read through in a relatively short time. Furthermore, it should address especially the young “Online-generation”, therefore the topics range from a serious coverage on the transatlantic relations to trendy craft beer reports. Additionally, the cover is illustrated in an interesting — sometimes event comic-like — style.

With this publication, the FAZ follows other newspapers and magazines which introduced special publications for a younger audience, as well — like bento published by Spiegel Online or Orange published by the Handelsblatt. The publishers have to react to the developments of the recent years. Young people prefer to read the daily news on their smartphones or tablets since it is unhandy to read big newspapers like the FAZ on your daily train ride to your job or college. Furthermore, it is nearly impossible to read the entire amount of articles within a usual working day. Therefore, I think that publications like the Frankfurter Allgemeine Woche are a fine medium to get well researched information about current affairs, cultural events or new social trends.