The Australian goes for gold. Readers of The Australian newspaper discovered today that the national broadsheet front page had been covered in a gold/sepia tone/colonial throwback hue as it launched the release of The Australian gold digital pass — it’s paywall digital subscription system for its website …

In a press release yesterday, The Australian stated:

The Australian, the nation’s most respected broadsheet, will be gilding the presses tomorrow when it turns its front page Gold, heralding the arrival of its new Digital Subscription Service.

The limited edition newspaper — available only to readers on November 9, 2011 — marks a key milestone in the newspaper’s 47 year history. The Australian’s recently introduced ‘freemium subscription model’, which offers a mix of free and subscriber-only premium content, represents a major step in the creation of a sustainable model for quality journalism.

As part of the new online offering, subscribers have exclusive access to the best news, analysis, commentary and photojournalism led by a team of Australia’s most credible and experienced journalists.

We are unsure if Oz sales spiked today as Australians rushed to newsagents to buy this limited edition.

Front Page of the Day. Silvio Berlusconi’s resignation, what else? From today’s edition of Italian newspaper Libero:

The Department of Corrections. Today’s UK Daily Mail sets the record straight that Christmas is in no way under threat from Winterval as a permanent replacement. Festivus on the other hand …

NotW paid me to follow 90 people: private detective

“A private detective has claimed the News of the World paid him to target more than 90 people, including Prince William, former attorney general Lord Goldsmith and the parents of Harry Potter actor Daniel Radcliffe, for eight years until it was shut down in July.” — The Guardian

Phone hacking: Tom Crone admits ‘incorrect’ evidence

“The culture select committee has published further written evidence as part of its phone-hacking investigation, which includes a letter from former legal manager at News International Tom Crone admitting that his recollection when giving evidence in September ‘was incorrect in relation to certain details’.” — journalism.co.uk

Nine Entertainment Co ‘set for fire sale’

“Industry rumours have accelerated that Nine Entertainment Co may sell some of its assets, possibly including all or part of ACP Magazines. Today’s Australian Financial Review reports that a ‘fire sale’ could be on the cards, citing the company’s inability to keep up with its debts.” — mUmBRELLA

Greek MP walks out during live cross on Insight

“The season final of SBS talk show Insight wasn’t without its dramatic moments last night as one of the guests via satellite decided to make a hasty exit mid-interview.” — TV Tonight

NY Times exec who built paywall to retire

“Martin A. Nisenholtz, a senior vice president at The New York Times Company who helped develop the newspaper’s Web site and guide its digital strategy, is retiring at the end of the year, the company announced Monday.” — New York Times