News Corp. is laying plans for a ground-breaking national news offering to be distributed via downloadable application for Apple Inc.'s iPad and for mobile phones.

The venture, still in preliminary stages, would have its own dedicated reporting and editing staff and could nonetheless draw from New Corp.'s publishing assets, such as the New York Post and Dow Jones. Readers would pay an yet-to-be-determined subscription fee.

If green-lit, News Corp. could invest anywhere from $30 to $40 million in the venture, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. New York Post executive editor Jesse Angelo would oversee the separate digital news operation, in addition to his responsibilities at the tabloid.

The initiative, which would directly compete with The New York Times, USA Today and other national publications, is the latest attempt by a major media organization to harness new devices to reach readers who increasingly consume their news on the go. Stories would range from the short, snappy variety on which the Post made its mark to more lengthy journalistic articles.

Dawn C. Chmielewski

See related story:

News Corp. plans national news offering for iPad and mobile phones