---
title: "Beyond clickbait: DM168 newspaper captivates educated readers seeking deep insights in a chaotic world"
description: "In a world where newspapers are folding faster than a cheap camping chair, DM168 is doing the unthinkable — growing. While others hit the eject button on print, we doubled down, launching a newspaper in 2020 when everyone else was downsizing. Why? Because our readers wanted it."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "PRINT IS NOT DEAD"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-20-beyond-clickbait-dm168-newspaper-captivates-educated-readers-seeking-deep-insights-in-a-chaotic-world/"
published: "2025-02-20T15:11:56"
updated: "2025-02-20T15:11:58"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 370
---

# Beyond clickbait: DM168 newspaper captivates educated readers seeking deep insights in a chaotic world

> In a world where newspapers are folding faster than a cheap camping chair, DM168 is doing the unthinkable — growing. While others hit the eject button on print, we doubled down, launching a newspaper in 2020 when everyone else was downsizing. Why? Because our readers wanted it.

By Daily Maverick · Published 20 February 2025, 17:11 SAST · Updated 20 February 2025, 17:11 SAST

## Key points
- In a media landscape resembling a graveyard of shuttered presses, DM168 not only defies the odds with a 15.8% growth, but also proves that amidst the chaos, there’s still a thriving demand for the thoughtful, long-form journalism that helps readers make sense of the madness — because who wouldn't want a weekend read that cuts through the noise?
- DM168 reports a robust 15.8% year-on-year growth, defying the media industry's broader decline.
- Demand for in-depth, long-form journalism is rising, with readers seeking meaningful insights over quick headlines.
- Our audience is educated and influential, with a notable 38% female readership actively shaping the conversation.
- DM168 caters to diverse demographics, with a growing print audience among younger readers, proving that newspapers are evolving, not fading.

## Content

Fast-forward to today, and the proof is in the paper. Despite the industry showing decline (some would say decimation), [DM168 demonstrates resilience and growth with 15.8% growth year on year](https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/abc-q4-2024-last-quarter-cements-a-mixed-bag-for-2024-for-newspapers-921804a).

Despite the media landscape’s ongoing shake-up, where big-name publications have shut their presses for good, the demand for deeply reported, long-form journalism in a tangible, trustworthy format hasn’t disappeared. If anything, it’s become more essential. Readers don’t just want quick headlines; they want a weekend read that cuts through the noise and makes sense of the madness. That’s where DM168 thrives.

#### **Who are these readers who prefer lounging with a newspaper on a weekend?**

Our readers aren’t just skimming the news; they’re shaping the conversation. According to BrandMapp and our own internal analytics, DM168 attracts a readership that’s highly educated, financially comfortable and influential. These readers don’t just read the headlines; they set the agenda.

Geographically, we’ve got South Africa covered, with a strong presence in the Western Cape, Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. And while our readership skews male, let’s not overlook the power of our 38% female readers who are just as engaged.

And for those who think print is only for the nostalgia brigade? Well, think again. A solid 38% of our Daily Maverick readers fall between the age of 35 and 49, with a growing print-exclusive audience in the 25 to 34 age bracket — proof that newspapers aren’t just surviving, they’re evolving. Sure, our home-delivery subscribers lean towards 50+ in age, but DM168 isn’t a newspaper for one demographic; it’s a newspaper for everyone.

We’re not in the business of churning out clickbait or racing to break news first. Our mission is bigger: to inform, analyse and provide the kind of journalism that helps our readers navigate a chaotic world. With our Friday release, we’re giving our readers more time to catch up, reflect and truly engage with the stories that matter. In a sea of misinformation and news fatigue, DM168 stands as a lighthouse of clarity.

And if you haven’t already, we encourage you to pick up the latest copy this Friday and experience why readers are tuning in for curated, thoughtful, distraction-free news, built for a world that’s tired of the noise. **DM168 Team**