Why media must charge for web content
Posted by Brian Wong on Mar 01, 2009, under AerInterest
Here’s an interesting article by Allan Mutter that advocates for paid content with major “legit” media producers. His main concern revolves around reducing the stigma of “free” around the web’s quality content and charging to help keep “legit” alive. Chris Anderson (from Wired) may disagree though – as much as I believe that legitimate content is important to preserve on the internet, there are alternative sources of income that have “costed” the customer or the consumer at least something (i.e. advertisements and “free” subscriptions). By foregoing your contact details, interest habits, and behaviors, companies can convert your involvement into a more valuable advertisement target – which will increase the advertising potential and revenue of any site with many users.
Charging for content may be a very selfish way to go about preserving the media industry – but it may compromise the very fiber of the internet and all the standards that it has grown and been built upon. The question is – will you charge, if others start charging?
Link: Why The Media Must Charge for Web Content
