Online news charges needed, says Sir Martin Sorrell
Monday, 05, Oct 2009 11:08
It is necessary for newspapers to charge readers to view their online news, according to WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.
The business boss has claimed that the lack of advertising available to newspapers means that they need to change the way they provide news sites and website news, reports the Telegraph.
Newspapers cannot survive if they continue with the same structure, he said at Stream 2009, an invite-only technology and media conference in Athens.
It is "critical for traditional media businesses" that they charge for online news, Sir Martin explained, adding: "Getting consumers to pay for content they value is key."
His comments come after News Corporation owner Rupert Murdoch revealed that his company's new Sunday Times website will require readers to subscribe to the service or pay as they use it.
The WPP chief's conference address also followed last Thursday's World Editors Forum event, The 2015 Newsroom, which involved members of the newspaper industry discussing the benefits of paid-for online news.
Roy Greenslade revealed in his Guardian column that associate editor of the Daily Mirror Matt Kelly said many web users do not care about which websites they log onto for website news, which is why advertisers are becoming increasingly less interested in backing newspapers.
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