The Globe and Mail has announced that it will implement a so-called paywall at the paper in an effort designed to get readers to pay for news online. In addition, Publisher and CEO Phillip Crawley has said the paper will ask employees to take unpaid leave as a way to improve the bottom line. Our sister blog, Mostly Media, has reviewed comments from readers. It is an understatement to say that they did not take to the idea of paying for online content. While we have not read all 492 comments, the trend seems to be firmly — and sometimes viciously — against. Here are a few samples:
Oh no! Now where will I go to read the same Canadian Press articles that every other newspaper in Canada runs mixed in with PMO press releases?
Hey, here’s a cost saving idea so that the site can remain free: The G&M should replace all of their staff, starting with their editorial management, with temporary foreign workers and pay them all 15% less than before.
That’s all they’ve been promoting lately; everybody there must think that it’s a dandy idea
Congratulations on your bankruptcy. You will find your web traffic is decimated by this move and any financial gain you receive through the paltry number of subscribers will pale in comparison to the lost adverts currently on the site.
No successful Internet site charges for content. those that try soon become pretty unsuccessful. Learn from history, not the accountants.
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