Le Monde runs promotion like a news story

Juan Giner takes Le Monde to task for running a promotion on its front page in such a way as it appears to be a news story. He writes of France's leading quality paper: "If Le Monde does this, something is really wrong in our news business. An ad (promoting an opera collection) on the front page - as news - with the same type as the news content. Wrong, Monsieur Le Monde." He shows the front page to illustrate his point, adding that promotions are fine, because they bring in money and readers, "but good reporting starts with a basic rule: separate news and advertising." (Via Innovations in Newspapers)