Slashdot Mirror
New York Times Exploring how to Charge for Content
Mr. Christmas Lights writes "According to the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times is
mulling subscription for Internet Archives. It doesn't appear that the free (but subscription required - BugMeNot to the rescue!) ability to read NYT articles less than a week old would change. However, instead of paying $2.95 per article for stuff that is more than a week old, one idea being floated is an annual fee of $49.99 for unlimited access to anything in the last year." (More below.)
Mr. Christmas Lights continues "The WSJ has been pretty successful with their online subscriptions - over 700,000 people currently pay $79 ($39 if you get the print edition) a year for full online access of the last 30 days of articles - the story above happens to be in their public area. But they are a notable exception, with media organizations struggling to charge for News now that it is widely available for free on the Internet. For example, Slashdot recently discussed the AP's plan to charge members to post content online. Will the "GoogleZon" end up replacing the 4th Estate as depicted in the entertaining and informative 8 minute EPIC video?"
Sheesh for that price I might as well start archiving their content myself. Slightly ironic too that this article is about NYT not making enough off its online content and you go and post a BugMeNot link in the blurb, good one Slashdot. ;)
They should only charge for articles that are true, or where the reporter actually did the work, instead of sitting at home in his flat in Brooklyn smoking dope.
On the front page it states "All the news thats fit to print" = "You are a moron and we will decide what news you need to read"
You pay not just for the apparent content - you also pay for the journalist ethics and morality that goes into responsible journalism. If NYT is not worth $50 annual fee, neither are our freedoms. The "4th" estate has been an essential ingredient in democracy (I know about India's case), and I think a bit of repayment is in order. Though, I do not support the established media's efforts in suppressing the emerging blog culture.
Well, to be fair, I buy my paper papers with real quarters, and I still see ads. Luckily, no popups, yet.
...it's really a sad day for America when we require a goddamn ACT OF CONGRESS to make our DVD players work properly. ~
Equating the NYT with ethical Journalism.
That's funny. Mod parent up.
"Oh my God. This is terrible. This is the end of my Presidency. I'm fucked."; ~ Donald J. Trump
Why would I pay for any NY Times news story when I can get the same story direct from the source for free.
[Insert pithy quote here]
Like he said, best news service coming out of America. At least they admit making the stories up...
Registration is required before you can read this comment. I promise, it's a really good comment, and well worth your money. Can't afford it now? Check back in a few weeks, and it will be almost free, or feel free to send me $50 now, and you can view all of my comments for the next year.
This sig has been removed pending an investigation.
What? A Slashdot poster that makes sense?! This can't be allowed to stand. You'll be banned soon enough to keep groupthink intact.
Says the slashdotter with his 1008th comment. ;)
"Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased