French daily newspaper Le Mondewill launch a new format next week to help boost circulation and brighten its look without becoming "too aristocratic nor too vulgar," its chairman said.
Mr Jean-Marie Colombani said he hopes to boost circulation by as many as 20,000 readers once the revamped
Le Monde
is published on Monday.
The aim is to offer readers "a more complete, more clear, more accessible Le Monde," he said.
Changes in content will include increased coverage of European institutions and issues, with an entire page dedicated to news about the European Union. The daily will also boost its economic and financial coverage, while placing greater emphasis on sports and science.
Le Monde, like the rest of the media industry in France, was hit last year by a significant drop in advertising revenue.
Mr Colombani said he expects a further decline in advertising revenue in 2002, although this year looks promising due to presidential and parliamentary elections in France, which will take place between April and June.
Last year the paper had a daily paid circulation of about 395,000.