tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128264.post2914696471967021483..comments2024-03-25T12:55:40.911+00:00Comments on Caron's Musings: Newspaper publishers threaten end of free internet linkingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04988201531739344840noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128264.post-17855741606145502612009-10-29T10:57:20.657+00:002009-10-29T10:57:20.657+00:00"Why on earth are newspapers complaining abou..."Why on earth are newspapers complaining about getting more traffic to their websites at a time when their industry is struggling?"<br /><br />Because they're stupidJennie Rigghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14893281560181289667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34128264.post-64276335286708352882009-10-28T15:13:46.920+00:002009-10-28T15:13:46.920+00:00I spent many years working as a editor/producer on...I spent many years working as a editor/producer on national newspaper and broadcasters' websites, including ones owned by News International. And I can say with absolute certainty that the company has never understood the internet and how it works and has regarded it as a threat to its business model since the day it was forced to engage. <br /><br />I think your post is spot on, Caron, and I will add that this looks like nothing so much as a rearguard action by a set of businesses who have failed to move with the times (pardon the pun) and are therefore trying to force the clock back to a point where they are the sole arbiters of news and commentary once more.<br /><br />But you can't move the clock back because it happens to be more convenient for you than moving with the times.<br /><br />By striking at the principle of universal and free hyperlinking they are doing nothing less than trying to cripple the internet itself, to break the back of a technology that has disrupted their hegemony.<br /><br />Because the record companies and film producers have done so well by going down this road already.<br /><br />From News International and Associated this is bad enough. From a company like The Guardian, which understands *exactly* how the Internet works and what the implications of such a move are, it is a disgusting move.<br /><br />That's the last paper copy of any newspaper that I buy until this threat is withdrawn.LJHnoreply@blogger.com