Google Pay-for-News Scheme Ignores Reality

Google CEO Eric Schmidt's proposed model for online newspapers calls for a cable TV-like approach to subscription content, with tiers like free, basic, and premium. His ideas not only come too late, but they're “deeply flawed,” Douglas A. McIntyre writes for 24/7 Wall Street. And "even if they were valuable, they come too late in the cycle of destruction that marks the end of the financial viability of newspapers."

But even if a system were up and running—a difficult process both technologically and editorially—McIntyre sees another obstacle: Most content "is available somewhere else,” free. Sure, the New York Times is a good paper, but everything in it is done as well or better elsewhere. “Americans are used to free news now," McIntyre concludes." Reversing that will be nearly impossible.”