It is newsworthly for a number of reasons. Firstly, most people do not know that companies are scanning their customers, suppliers and employees against these Watchlists.

Secondly, people are placed on these watchlists with no burden of proof or right to recourse.

Thirdly, if you appear on these lists, which can be quite fuzzy, you can find that your banks accounts are frozen, with no explanation. Banks are now very risk adverse meaning that they are more than happy to alienate a few customers if it means avoiding the risk of massive fines.

Compiling and updating this information requires many man hours, which has value, thus Dow Jones can receive payment for access to this database (and many are very willing to pay). It's an asset.