Journalism.co.uk is interested in all things online, so the print stats from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) are a bit off-patch, but just a quick heads-up that the body is continuing to investigate claims about ‘bulk newspaper sales’ and the number of airline copies included in the audit.

“ABC stated in the February and March National Newspaper reports, that airline copies were subject to further verification. This verification work continues, along with verification of the April data, and is being progressed as quickly as possible, in line with ABC’s usual processes.”

The Guardian reported in March 2009:

“It is believed that the problem came to light after ABC carried out a spot check on multiple sales copies sent to airlines. According to one senior newspaper executive, the checkers found a wide disparity between the claimed distribution figure and the reality. Other aspects of bulks sales are not believed to be affected.”

NB: The ABC has a new website in beta, which can be viewed here: http://preview.abc.org.uk/