In Austria, one of the world's oldest newspapers prints its last daily edition

Copies of the Wiener Zeitung newspaper fly off the printing press in Vienna. It would appear to be just another day in the life of one of the world's oldest newspapers still in print. But the employees are actually publishing their last paper edition, with the paper set to move primarily online from July 1.

Founded in 1703 under the name Wiennerisches Diarium, and later renamed Wiener Zeitung in 1780, the formerly private bi-weekly paper was nationalized by Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria in 1857, becoming the country's official gazette.

The paper will maintain a minimum of ten print publications per year, depending on the funds available. The Wiener Zeitung was in 2004 ranked as one of the oldest newspapers still in circulation, the World Association of News Publishers told AFP.

Meanwhile, the Wiener Zeitung will establish a media hub, a content agency, and a training center for journalists.  Almost half of the newspapers over 200 employees -- 40 of whom are journalists -- could be laid off, according to its trade union.