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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2010
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35

No More Free News Online: Murdoch

Mogul steps up plans to charge for all News Corp's web offerings

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(Newser) – Rupert Murdoch says the days of News Corp.'s giving away news from its newspapers and TV stations on the Internet are numbered, the Financial Times reports. Murdoch, who earlier this year said he planned to test pay-to-read models, now says he plans to start charging for access to all news sites in his media empire. The mogul says the success of the Wall Street Journal's subscription plan proves consumers are willing to pay for quality content.

"The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free," said Murdoch, whose company posted a $3.4 billion loss for the year to June yesterday. Murdoch acknowledged that News Corp. will face stiff competition from outlets offering free online news, but he predicted other media outlets would soon follow his lead. "Our policy is to win," he said.

News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch addresses a press conference in Mumbai.
News Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch addresses a press conference in Mumbai.   (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Rupert Murdoch says the success of the Wall Street Journal's online subscription program proves that people are willing to pay for quality journalism.
Rupert Murdoch says the success of the Wall Street Journal's online subscription program proves that people are willing to pay for quality journalism.   (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
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Quality journalism is not cheap. An industry that gives away its content is simply cannibalising its ability to produce good reporting.
- Rupert Murdoch

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35 comments
VIEWING:
 
Alexandria
Aug 6, 09 2:37 AM CDT
Such foolish b.s. Reply
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+13
IN RESPONSE:
JonmarkP
Aug 6, 09 12:22 PM CDT
Yeah, Google hasn't figured out a way make money from "free," so why should Rupert be able to? What a dope!
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0
LibertyMan
Aug 6, 09 2:43 AM CDT
why? Reply
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Jojo
Aug 6, 09 4:16 AM CDT
Because it is the equivolent of showing someone a picture online but telling them "don't copy it!". Even if they disable right clicking, there is always print screen - put it this way, there will always be people who subscribe to his media services JUST to copy the material and post it online for others. Not to mention if he starts charging for news, everyone can just put a television in their computer room and turn on CNN while they surf. Murdoch is just way out of touch on this one. Also, small news outlets will never be able to make a profit from charging to read their news, so there are going to be thousands and thousands of outlets that are free. Think about it - they would spend more for the employees to deal with online subscriptions/payments/customer service than they would make charging 1000 people 5 dollars to read their news. Why would you pay Murdoch to read his news? Just absurd.
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+16
Todd_English
Aug 6, 09 2:46 AM CDT
Fine ill goto a site that has free news like Newser...plus who wants to read his biased right wing crap anyway. Reply
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+24

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