Times New Foreign Guidelines

Today, the New York Times unveiled it’s narrower format—as reported here.

But there’s more: Foreign correspondents are being asked to be a bit more concise, according to new guidelines obtained by The Observer.

For Page 1 stories, typically around 1,400 words, the new guidelines call for 1,250. There will be about 50-100 words shaved off Journals and Memos—down to 900. Page 3 stories drop from 1100-1200 to 1000-1100. And a single column: “600ish words.”

No wonder Rupert’s talking about amping up foreign coverage at The Journal. (Of course, he has some qualms with long stories).