Readers Will Most Likely Shift To Internet For News

[webfact]

Readers will most likely shift to internet-minister

PORT DICKSON: -- (Malaysia), Jan 29 (Bernama) -- Readers will most likely shift to the Internet for news, if the traditional media continue with their old style of presenting news based on what the editors feel that people should read or use the media as a propaganda tool.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim said this was because the Internet allowed the people to read what they wanted to read.

"The Internet has created a new phenomenon of change all over the world," he said at the opening the International Conference on Free and Responsible Journalism, here, Thursday.

The text of his speech was read by the ministry's deputy secretary-general (Information), Azmi Ali.

Rais, however, said the role of responsible journalism was still relevant to the development of a nation.

"Journalists need to be free and self-governing to fulfil their duty of providing information to the people with a simple guideline, such as their first obligation is to truth, their loyalty is to the citizens, the essence is discipline of verification, and maintaining independence from those they cover." "Journalists face daily risks posed by tight media laws and the threats against them include non-renewal of the printing licence for their publication, lawsuits, jail or fine, and harassment in the form of newsroom interference by the government." He said in countries without freedom of the press, the majority of people who reported the news might not follow the subscribed standard of journalism.

"Non-free media are often prohibited from criticising the government and in many cases are required to carry propaganda as if it were news. Various other forms of censorship may restrict reporting on issues the government deems sensitive," he added.

Rais said in view of all these issues, challenges and guidelines, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) founded in 1909 in the United States was dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behaviour.

He said the SPJ came up with a code of ethics to be voluntarily embraced by thousands of journalists, regardless of place or platform, and was widely used in the newsrooms and classrooms as a guide for ethical behaviour.

Some 60 participants from Malaysia and countries of the South, namely Azerbaijan, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, India, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Vietnam are attending the two-day conference.

Port Dickson or PD to locals is a beach and holiday destination situated about 32 km from Seremban and 90 km from Kuala Lumpur. It is located in the state of Negeri Sembilan in Peninsular Malaysia. (Bernama)

-- TNA 2010-01-29

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[astral]

I must admit that I have not bought a newspaper for quite a long time.

Having said that Internet papers tend to leave out all the little stories that

you find amongst the pages of a real news paper. Which is a shame.

[tonititan]

Yeah, I miss all the little "blurbs" when reading news online.

I just read a news story (online, of course!) that the New York Times is working on plans to charge for frequent use of their online site. I hope that doesn't catch on!

[Jingthing]

Not many sources will have the pricing power to be able to charge as there will always be decent sources that are ad based and won't charge. Only really special unique sources may have that power. Probably the NYT, Wall Street Journal, etc. I love the Washington Post, I hope they don't get the same idea.

Edited January 29, 2010 by Jingthing

[xen]

Just before Christmas Rupert Murdoch made a statement about charging for internet newspapers which doesn't worry me too much as i don't particulary like the Murdoch stable of "balanced and fair " reporting but if he goes ahead , then other papers will follow his example. I used to read the Straight Times on the net until they requested payment to get more than the headlines. It was a shame because it oftens presents other views and information not available localised news services.

[namoo]

I think it will come to all newspapers for customers to pay for online content probably by the end of 2010 it will be widespread.

Kindle is already doing it with daily paper delivered direct to the device for a subscription fee.

And with the iPad the content will be more orientated towards reading on that specific device. New York Times seems to have already fallen into bed with Apple in a big way judging by this weeks keynote presentation.

I don't necessarily think its a bad thing to charge for it if quality is maintained and smaller articles are not left out as posted above. I would be much happier reading correctly formatted news content (with embedded video and colour photos) on a ipad in starbucks than a dirty newsprint newspaper from the shelve that the last guy just read and blew his nose on.

I can see a dual business model here. Free content as you have it now on NY Times website funded by advertising and reduced content. And the Option of a subscription plan which consists of full newspaper content formatted to your specific device (Read Kindle or ipad as the two main players) with reduced advertising.

Edited January 30, 2010 by namoo

[xen]

The other ramification of subscribed news on the web is how the computer illiterate or those in situations where the net is unavailable because of geographical or social isolation, then the gap between those who are informed and those who are not will widen.There are still many who the printed page/newspaper is the only availabe way to receive the news apart from television news and the quality of that varies significantly.

[Mario2008]

I do tend to turn to the internet for the news, one reason is that I don't have t wait till the newspaper comes out. But I read only the major headlines an such. The internet is fast, but gives limited information. For a more complete story I would turn to a newspaper, also because i don't like to read long stories on a computer screen.

[xen]

A report in yesterdays Sydney Morning Herald from a speech Rupert Murdoch made a few days ago.

"Murdoch repeated plans to begin charging online readers of his newspapers. The Wall Street Journal is currently the only major newspaper in the News Corp. stable to charge readers a subscription fee.

"We expect to expand to other titles in the coming months," Murdoch said. "We'll be charging for online wherever we have publications."

News Corp., he added, is also holding "a very substantive conversation with device makers on developing a subscription model that will provide high-quality journalism to consumers whenever and wherever they want it." "

He then goes on to say

"Advertising revenue for the print edition of the Journal rose five percent and ad revenue at the digital version of the newspaper was 17 percent higher.

No doubt, once Newscorp/Fox moves in that diection , all the other print/news media will follow

[cdnvic]

A few years ago a lot of papers, including the Bangkok Post tried charging for online access. It was a spectacular failure.

[trunknuk]

Where was that article dug from? Jan 29, 2000 ? What else do you have for us in news of the dull and obvious?

[toptuan]

A few years ago a lot of papers, including the Bangkok Post tried charging for online access. It was a spectacular failure.

I just read a news story (online, of course!) that the New York Times is working on plans to charge for frequent use of their online site. I hope that doesn't catch on!

This is because online advertising/supporting sponsors still do not cover the operational and personnel costs of a newspaper which wants to shift to online. Online news media costs still have to be subsidized by its print media revenue sources. Unfortunately, readership of print media continues to decline as do printed media advertising, while print media's attempts to cover the costs of going online are a continual failure. It's a worldwide phenomenon which really has no practical solution yet in sight.

Maybe when most of the well-known print news media finally goes under and the internet (along with TV/radio) becomes the ONLY source of news, will well-known, strong news organizations have the balls to once again try charging for online access and get away with it. Then, you will have the choice of either paying for reliable online news or relying on the free fringe media that will be emboldened to claim to be the only trusted source of news left. If this happens, my prediction: Those really serious about accessing reliable news sources will ante-up. Meanwhile, the "Cheap Charlies" will just get dumber.

Edited February 5, 2010 by toptuan