The two tours were offered exclusively to subscribers. The first group arrived in the newsroom moments after Dr Brendan Nelson's departure from the Australian War Memorial was announced.

Acting editor Scott Hannaford shared the newsroom's initial plans for the coverage you see in today's print and digital editions, including news reports, photographic coverage and analysis.

When the second group arrived in the early afternoon, they were able to meet editorial cartoonist David Pope and see his early draft of his daily cartoon.

The newsroom tours were the first subscriber events since The Canberra Times introduced digital subscriptions in June. The invitation to subscribers to tour the newsroom was a way of thanking readers and sharing insights into the way we produce our newspaper and website.

After the newsroom, subscribers visited the press facilities, which produces dozens of newspaper titles from the ACT and southern NSW every week.

Australian Community Media printing general manager Jon Clarke described the process from the creation of print plates based on files sent from the newsroom, through to the working of the site's four printing towers and finally to the distribution process.

At the end of their tour, subscribers were hosted for refreshments, a presentation and a question and answer session.

Subscriber questions related the newspaper's move into private ownership, The Canberra Times' approach to politics and public service coverage and what informs daily news decisions.

Digital subscribers receive access to giveaways and other benefits via newsletters sent daily. Opportunities to join more newsroom tours will be available to subscribers in coming months.

To be come a digital subscriber, visit canberratimes.com.au/subscribe/

Basic digital subscriptions start from $3 a week for those who pay up front annually.

Premium subscriptions, which include access to puzzles and a digital print replica, are available for $3.85 a week for two-year subscriptions paid up front.