Digital publications include downloadable replicas of print newspapers and are audited separately from website traffic.
Four new rules will govern the audit: readers must have opted to receive the e-publication; proof of reader registration or subscription; the audited edition must have been available during the audit period; subscribers must have been notified about particular categories of additional, free publications.
The figure to be included on print circulation certificates will be de-duplicated, meaning any subscribers to both print and online editions will only be included once.
Earlier this year, the Association of Online Publishers (AOP) welcomed the move to recognise readership of e-publications, but said that audit certificates should include one combined total for print and digital readership.
ABC rejected this possibility, stating that its decision to allow digital totals alongside print circulation is in line with most other international audit bodies.
"ABC is always reviewing and evolving rules across all sectors through the work of its specialist committees, to respond to the needs of the industry," said a spokesperson for ABC.
ABC established a working group in December 2003 to discuss how the circulation of digital publications could be effectively recorded. The group included representatives from leading newspapers, consumer magazines and business publishers as well as the AOP.
More new on dotJournalism:
ABC rules out combined print/digital figures
Worth the e-paper they are printed on
See also:
ABC: http://www.abc.org.uk
ABCE: http://www.abce.org.uk
AOP: http://www.ukaop.org.uk
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