Hong Kong, Sep 22 (DPA) The Hong Kong-based monthly magazine Far Eastern Economic Review will cease publication in December due to falling readership and advertising revenue, the publisher confirmed Tuesday.

The magazine, which was launched in 1946, has continued to lose readers and advertisers despite several attempts at invigorating the brand, publisher Dow Jones Consumer Media Group said.

But faced with continuing readership declines at the Review, the company said it has chosen to concentrate is efforts on its core print and online publications, in an effort to boost the company's growth in Asia.

Todd Larsen, chief operating officer at Dow Jones Consumer Media Group, said the company had been proud to be associated with the magazine and its invaluable contributions to the understanding of the Asia region.

'The decision to cease publication of the Review is a difficult one made after a careful study of the magazine's prospects in a challenging business climate,' Larsen said.

'It has a rich history of pioneering journalism and helped to set the standard for the press in Asia in the post-World War II era, when local publications often lacked the freedom to report honestly.'

Dow Jones has already expanded its Asian content in the Wall Street Journal and online editions with a redesigned WSJ.