Newspapers - The effect of online technology

1) Do you agree with James Murdoch that the BBC should not be allowed to provide free news online? Why?
In my opinion, i do not agree with Rupert Murdoch's statement. This is due to the fact that information produced in newspapers lays a huge role in generating critical autonomy to the public. I believe that free newspapers is something we are entitled to and should not pay to read them. Also, a small percentage of the population have a low salary - they wont be able to afford this as they spend their money on the necessities, meaning they wont know about what is happening in their city, county and the world.

2) Read this blog on the Times paywall three years on.

3) Was Rupert Murdoch right to put his news content (The Times, The Sun) behind a paywall?
No, i don't think it was right for Rupert Murdoch to put his news content behind a paywall. This is because as information should not be restricted to the public, it should be open.

4) Choose two comments from below the Times paywall article - one that argues in favour of the paywall and one that argues against. Copy a quote from each and explain which YOU agree with and why.

1) 'Maybe a locked-down paywall is the answer after all, to preserve a newspaper as an institution'


I agree with this comment as it will help newspapers institutions to gain money and help them keep their roles of what they are in society currently, however the effect on the audience is more detrimental as they would have to pay to read the newspaper and some may not be able to afford it. It may be considered as unethical. 

2) 'It is so ridiculous if these mainstream newspapers believe that they can force readership of fee-based news. One can the same news for free almost anywhere on the internet'

I do agree with this comment as i believe that the public are most likely to turn to the free articles rather than pay money to read something they can get somewhere else for free. 

5) Read this article from the Media Briefing on the continuing decline of the newspaper industry. 

6) Why do you think the Evening Standard has bucked the trend and increased circulation and profit in the last two years?

This is because, if the newspapers are free the public are more likely to buy it, increasing the institutions reading numbers. 

7) Is there any hope for the newspaper industry or will it eventually die out? Provide a detailed response to this question explaining and justifying your opinion.

In my opinion, i think that it would depend on the content produced. It has to be interesting and significant in order for the public to carry on buying newspapers. However, if the newspapers carry on with the way they are going such as producing unnecessary stories then it may go into a decline, as there may be no need to for it anymore due to new and digital media - readers can read it online for free rather than pay to read it. Also, the digital media, people are allowed to share their own views and values of what their opinions are about the article, whereas this cannot happen with newspapers. Online media is more effective for readers.