Online news overtakes US newspapers

According to a survey in the US, online news is now more popular than newspapers among consumers.

The survey taken by the Pew Research Centre found that online news ranked third place behind local and national TV stations for news consumption. The survey said that newspaper readers have dropped by 50%.

The research comes at a time when newspaper industries on both sides of the Atlantic are reviewing current business models. Many significant news companies are in discussions over charging for online content as a result of declining newspaper buyers. The Wall Street Journal and Financial Times both charge for online access.

Mr Rupert Murdoch spoke out in 2009 with regards to online subscription plans. He said “quality journalism is not cheap…the digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news websites.”

The New York Times will introduce charging for online access in 2011.

Back to news page