Article
Fear for the Free Press …
ROOBERT GOTTLIEBSEN, BusinessSpectator
Although no one will admit it publicly, one of the concerns of the federal government is that the loss of the classified advertising’s ‘rivers of gold’ will severely lessen the ability of leading newspapers to employ large numbers of journalists.
Like the US, Australia will see major reductions in levels of journalistic talent employed by newspapers. Many will see this as a good thing, but it will almost certainly lead to less vibrant community debate and understanding.
Both News Corporation and Fairfax are looking to charge for online content to provide extra revenue to maintain journalist staffing levels and profitability.
One of the difficulties the two major players face in charging for online content, however, is that the BBC in the UK and the ABC in Australia offer their material free.