Writer Splits From Murdoch's Times Of London To Avoid Being Hidden Behind The Paywall
from the get-out-while-the-getting's-good dept
With Rupert Murdoch's The Times of London going behind a paywall, we're already seeing some of their writers bailing out. A bunch of folks sent over the news that the writer of the Times' legal blog, Tim Kevan, has set up shop on his own blog, outside of the paywall. He admits he has nothing against The Times for putting up a paywall, it's just not something he wants to be a part of:I have today withdrawn the BabyBarista Blog from The Times in reaction to their plans to hide it away behind a paywall along with their other content. Now don't get me wrong. I have absolutely no problem with the decision to start charging. They can do what they like. But I didn't start this blog for it to be the exclusive preserve of a limited few subscribers. I wrote it to entertain whosoever wishes to read it.We've seen this before. Back when the NY Times had its old paywall around its op-ed columnists, there were plenty of stories of those columnists complaining about the lockdown. And, of course, when Newsday, in New York, put up its paywall (which infamously brought in just a few dozen subscribers), one of its top columnists quit, after publishing an open letter about why paywalls are a bad idea.
This does bring up yet another example of where paywalls can hurt. Even if they do get subscribers (a big if), it might not do much for a writer's own reputation if his or her work can't be read more widely. In an era where an individual's reputation is pretty important in the journalism world, many good reporters and columnists might not want to get stuck in virtual obscurity behind a paywall.
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Filed Under: bloggers, paywall, rupert murdoch, tim kevan
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NOT FOR LONG LOL AMIRITE?
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writers absconding
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I know, but every time I write that, people think we're talking about the NY Times. It's quite common to refer to it as "the Times of London" to keep it clear.
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Conflict of interests
The journalist wants their writing made public, so it can be read freely and widely, and to be paid to write by those interested in them writing more (traditionally the newspaper/publisher, now their more interested readers aka fans).
The newspaper has the copyright inculcated notion that they can sell copies, and now 'reads' as in pay-to-read. They're obsessed with charging for extracted value instead of selling their work.
It's also amusing that the vendors of eBooks (aka copies) refuse to use a really convenient file-format (such as PDF), because they need to sell something inherently copyable that cannot be copied.
The market for copies has ended.
Authors and other writers are inexorably recognising that their words must be freely copyable and that copyright is counter-productive even if largely ineffective. The access control of a paywall is thus even worse than copyright from a writer's perspective (even if it appeals to a newspaper).
We are seeing a resurgence in the market for intellectual work. The software engineers were first. The journalists will follow.
Don't sell copies, sell your writing and set your readers free.
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I would agree strongly with this comment - except that since Murdoch bought it I really don't care.
It isn't the same newspaper. The longstanding tradition that would have made me feel like defending its right to be known as "The Times" without adjective, establishing its status as an international newspaper - not even a British one, has been totally wiped out.
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NOT FOR LONG LOL AMIRITE?"
Well the Guardian seems to know what it is doing... but I suppose the plural means I have to find another likely survivor - and I'm not sure...
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the times
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Need to be informed
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Paywalls
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The same might be said about the NY Times.
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Re: the times
Not in the United States.
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Key point ....
That is a key point most people over look. For alot of people its about the art, it is something they like to do, it is their specialty and they want to share it, it is their hobby. I dont know about Tim Kevan but alot of people are going to write news and articles, not based on money, but because of want to create.
Mike you wanna pipe in and tell us your view on the subject?
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I agree with you fully on this one point. Let it keep falling until they have no reporters left ...
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Re: Re: the times
Not in the United States.
Population of India>>Population of US
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Re: Key point ....
"Mike you wanna pipe in and tell us your view on the subject?"
as ...
Mike do you want to pipe in and tell us about why you atarted this blog, what kept you going in the beginning, and why you continue?
It is very relevant as to why Tim Kevan left the London Times. It is also relevant to the future of journalism. It shows the personal motivations of professional and non professional journalists.
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replay
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Insurance
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