Guardian ‘closely’ watching NYT’s paywall


11:15 am - July 29th 2011

by Sunny Hundal    


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It seems the Guardian newspaper’s stance on implementing a pay-wall on its highly popular website has indeed softened.

Last year, in reaction to a story they were looking at ‘exclusive clubs’ to generate new revenue, its executive Emily Bell told me:

No – we are not contemplating a pay wall, nor as far as I’m concerned would we ever….they are a stupid idea in that they restrict audiences for largely replicable content.

But that experiment doesn’t seem to have been pursued vigorously, and Emily Bell has since left the paper.

Yesterday I emailed the Guardian gain to ask what they thought of the NYT’s success.

Editor-in-chief Alan Rusbridger replied with this:

We’ve never been ideologically opposed to charging for content.

So far we haven’t seen a paywall model that wouldn’t impede the kind of open, collaborative journalism we are committed to doing – just look at how the Times paywall has effectively disconnected the paper from the web.

We’ve looked at the numbers for a New York Times style paywall and they don’t seem to work for us either. We haven’t seen any evidence that the commercial benefits from charging would outweigh the loss of audience and advertising revenue.

But the NYT experiment is thoughtful and sophisticated and of course we’ll be watching it closely to see how it works both journalistically and commercially.

(emphasis mine) I think its safe to say this stance is more open to paywalls than Emily Bell was.

The Times (News Int’l) paywall is indeed awful. But the New York Times paywall hasn’t suffered the same problems. In fact, its visitor numbers have held up well at around 33 million a month.

Responding on Twitter, Emily Bell said she was still vehemently opposed.

For the record, I think the Guardian should experiment with a porous paywall. It’s time to monetise that barrage of exclusive stories.

Update: To explain myself, I think the situation now is a reversal from earlier. Fair enough, you might say that still doesn’t mean the Guardian is looking for a paywall model.

But it is looking for a paywall model – it hasn’t found the right one yet. That still means, to my mind, it is looking for the right paywall model.

Update 2: @rj_gallagher points out that Alan Rusbridger never held the absolutist position that Emily Bell did. Fair enough, I’m happy to accept I thought the internal position had changed.

Update 3: I’ve amended the headline. Lots of you (rightly) felt it was egging the pudding too much. Fair enough.

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About the author
Sunny Hundal is editor of LC. Also: on Twitter, at Pickled Politics and Guardian CIF.
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Reader comments


1. Martin Robbins

I must have missed the part in the story where anyone at The Guardian gave any indication that they were looking for a paywall model.

I’m also confused by this fixation with Emily Bell, as if The Guardian’s strategy was entirely her brainchild and Alan Rusbridger has only taken an interest since she left.

There hasn’t been any change in policy, as he points out. The Guardian are pursuing an open, collaborative approach, and you can see that in practically everything they do, from the new blogging platforms to the Data site to the collaborative processing of leaks to the live-blogging and so on.

So I don’t get this sudden obsession LibCon has with The Guardian and paywalls. It seems like your clutching at straws to try and make a story out of nothing (and I have to ask, how many of the talks Rusbridger has given on this subject have you attended in the last couple of years?)

2. Luis enrique

This is the most depressing thing I’ve read recently about that paper:

The company said it aimed to shift from print to online journalism and to develop a new kind of newspaper coverage, which in the words of Alan Rusbridger, the editor-in-chief, would be “more Newsnight than News at Ten”, focusing on analysis rather than reporting.

From here
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c84ca24-985b-11e0-94d7-00144feab49a.html#axzz1TUO8TBVz

Less news, less reporting, more ghastly opinions.

3. Doug

This is really stupid, over sensationalised headline, backed up with little or no substance to support it’s claims and generally, it’s just not really that interesting a story – “business looks at new ways of making money” is hardly news in any circumstances.

4. malcolm coles

Charging for content is not the same as a paywall. They have a paid-for app. That’s charging for content but it isn’t a web paywall. I can’t really see anything they’ve said here that’s any different to what they’ve said before …

5. @OliConner

I would suggest they have suggested they are ideologically opposed to a paywall, going from their statement in 2009 – ‘we want to ensure that guardian.co.uk remains accessible to as wide an audience as possible’.

Any paywall will restrict that accessibility.

And I agree with the other comments – that is a very misleading headline.

6. Morus

Your headline is misleading, to the point of being completely factually wrong.

“Alan Rusbridger is not personally as keen to rule out any form of paywall as Emily Bell once was” might not read as well, but it’s a better reflection of the truth.

To the best of my knowledge, he has been completely consistent in saying “I don’t think it’s for us, but we’ll see how it goes elsewhere” – so there’s no change of position. It’s incredibly unlikely, but not ruled out absolutely. As always

I don’t think a paywall is any more likely now than it was when Emily Bell was working at the Guardian. I know you favour one, but I think this reads like a classic case of confirmation bias

[Disclosure: I work at the Guardian, but needless to say this is just a personal view – I don’t speak *for* the Guardian ever]

7. John Jameson

The Guardian already charges for content through its apps, so it’s not really news to say that they aren’t against charging. I would hate to see a paywall on the Guardian, it just feels contrary to their ethos. But I’m not against paying for what is one of the best online newspapers — I already pay for the iPad app. I just hope that they can find other ways to monetise the value of their brand and expertise.

8. Paddy

I’m not ideologically opposed to bungee jumping.

Doesn’t mean I want to do it, never mind that I’m seeking to.

9. monkey man

I was just wondering what the pros and cons of having voluntary payment for articles was? I’ve very often read something on the Guardian website that has made me want to contribute in some way – is it just that it would cost more than it would make?

10. Robert Thompson

Sunny Hundal is never one to let the facts get in the way of a sensational “exclusive”.

This really is an example of a blogger gone wild.

First of all: nothing in this story suggests the Guardian is “looking for a paywall model”. Second: not one element of what is included in this botched report is remotely new.

In 2010, for instance, Rusbridger explained he was in favour of charging for specialist content while not going behind a paywall (http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/jan/25/guardian-editor-paywalls). A few cursory web searches would have rendered this fairly obvious… but Hundal is clearly unable — or unwilling — to navigate Google’s “advanced search” function in his frenzied state of mind.

I think this report is so factually inaccurate that it requires a retraction… or at least an admission of guilt.

As according to the PCC code:

i) The Press must take care not to publish inaccurate, misleading or distorted information, including pictures.

ii) A significant inaccuracy, misleading statement or distortion once recognised must be corrected, promptly and with due prominence, and – where appropriate – an apology published.

Let’s hear it then, Sunny?

11. AR

Headline: Exclusive: The Guardian looking for a paywall model

Quote: We haven’t seen any evidence that the commercial benefits from charging would outweigh the loss of audience and advertising revenue.

what a bull$hit article

12. Robert Andrews

This is not a reversal.
They’d always said they remained open (even if all their other public statements suggest otherwise) to it and that they did a review but decided otherwise. They also charge for apps, of course.

13. Sunny Hundal

I think this report is so factually inaccurate that it requires a retraction

I’m getting something wrong here perhaps – but I’m still not exactly clear. Is it untrue to say the Guardian is looking into a paywall model? I didn’t say it was planning to put up a paywall, only it was looking at the different models. That is what AR says.

14. Morus

I’ll try and clarify.

The Guardian is definitely not planning on putting up a paywall

It is not looking at paywalls, with a view to choosing on it could (plan to) put up

HOWEVER it has not absolutely ruled out ever looking at paywalls

It is watching other organisations, and should their paywalls prove both financially and journalistically successful, in line with the Guardian’s approach, then the paper reserves the right to *then* look at paywalls.

This is the same position it has held for several years, during Emily Bell’s time and afterwards, and which (allowing for a range of personal views, all of which state that it is far too early to even consider paywalls) is expressly *not looking* (but may look one day).

Think of it like a divorce. If I file papers, I’m planning to get divorced. If I’m visiting divorce lawyers, I’m looking at getting a divorce. If I’m happily married, no intention of getting divorced, but am realistic enough to admit that I might not stay married for ever, I’d be pretty pissed off by a headline saying I’m “looking to get divorced”. 🙂

15. Dane

The fact that there are far more trackbacks on Twitter than comments give the impression that people are giving Sunny’s “headline” any credence whatsoever. But take a closer look:

“Except it isn’t, and the headline is made up. Poor.”

“You’ve made this story up, Sunny… ”

“Not sure story supports headline”

“”

“ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho come on Sunny tell us another!”

“Utter nonsense. ‘NOT’ looking morelike.”

“Most misleading headline of the day –>”

“So thats the last time Alan Rusbridger will bother to reply to one of @sunny_hundal’s emails”

“@libcon “Guardian is looking for a paywall model” article is ripped to shreds”

“Reads like a NOTW story”

“Sunny Hundal’s “Exclusive: Guardian is looking for a paywall” is a masterclass in misleading headlines and hyperbole”

“Headline wrong here”

“Not accurate & v. misleading”

“<Don't think [so] from that quote..! – yep, a non article!!"

16. Derek

Hilarious. He’s now changed the headline to “Guardian ‘closely’ watching NYT’s paywall”….. how is that even a story?! What a lot of rubbish. FAIL.

17. Leon Wolfson

Slap up a paywall, I use greasemonkey to filter you out of search results. Done.

18. Elizabeth

I don’t understand how anyone can think the NYT paywall is successful. All you have to do is delete cookies to NYT after you reach your limit and you can start all over again.


Reactions: Twitter, blogs
  1. EdH

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  2. Nemesis Republic

    RT @libcon: Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  3. riazat butt

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  4. Damien Clarkson

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  5. Bim Adewunmi

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  6. Martin Robbins

    Except it isn't, and the headline is made up. Poor. RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  7. Political Scrapbook

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  8. Michael Bater

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/keVFxcB via @libcon

  9. Robert Wooding

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  10. rajmeena

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  11. Jo Caulfield

    Oh, man! RT @psbook: The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://t.co/Q54Q4tG

  12. Jamie Smith

    Shocking: Business considers money-making scheme RT @libcon Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/la8Bebr

  13. Martin Belam

    Except it isn't, and the headline is made up. Poor. RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  14. Benedict Singleton

    RT @libcon: Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  15. Peter I

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  16. Iain Hepburn

    Rusbridger admits Guardian looking for paywall model http://t.co/WY8P2Fu – another crunching u-turn…

  17. Iain Hepburn

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  18. Andrew Godwin

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  19. David Taylor

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  20. ruthieruth

    RT @libcon: Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 HA!!

  21. The Daily Quail

    Except it isn't, and the headline is made up. Poor. RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  22. Sam Moir

    Via @rajmeena. RT @psbook The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://t.co/GVveMtd

  23. Stephen Kelly

    Except it isn't, and the headline is made up. Poor. RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  24. Mary Hamilton

    Except it isn't, and the headline is made up. Poor. RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  25. sunny hundal

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  26. Martin Robbins

    You've made this story up, Sunny… RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  27. lawrencedonegan

    “@sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://t.co/w68H8Jz”
    >abt time

  28. malcolm coles

    Not sure story supports headline RT @sunny_hundal EXCLUSIVE: Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/zihKD2T

  29. dm

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model | Liberal Conspiracy http://t.co/hAxXdnv via @libcon

  30. William

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  31. Kieron Bryan

    RT @libcon: Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. HA!

  32. James Tapsfield

    RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  33. Nicholas Shaxson

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  34. Patricia Oliver

    Interesting. >> RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  35. Greg Callus

    Not sure story supports headline RT @sunny_hundal EXCLUSIVE: Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/zihKD2T

  36. Hali

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  37. OurManInAbiko

    RT @libcon: Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. HA!

  38. Kieron Bryan

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  39. Joanna Geary

    RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/jydO3Dg <- Don't think I'd draw that conclusion from that quote at all!

  40. Press Futurist

    Actual story & quotes don't really support headline. RT: @sunny_hundal: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model: http://t.co/w68H8Jz

  41. Gerard Fitzgibbon

    “@sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://t.co/w68H8Jz”
    >abt time

  42. marybowers

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  43. Raji Chaggar

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  44. Helen W

    Headline wrong here> RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  45. Ben Haynes

    BOO RT @sunny_hundal
    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://t.co/rE8UgBd

  46. simon robinson

    @timesjoanna re Guardian *paywall* story at http://t.co/jydO3Dg ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho ho come on Sunny tell us another!

  47. Chris Lake

    Utter nonsense. 'NOT' looking morelike. RT @sunny_hundal EXCLUSIVE: Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/zihKD2T

  48. Greg Callus

    RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/jydO3Dg <- Don't think I'd draw that conclusion from that quote at all!

  49. Luton NUT

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  50. Josh Hall

    Most misleading headline of the day –> @libcon Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://t.co/bDxC03D

  51. James Chapman

    So thats the last time Alan Rusbridger will bother to reply to one of @sunny_hundal's emails http://t.co/ou2Tvgg complete bollocks.

  52. stennymad

    RT @psbook The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1 – This is not good.

  53. imperica

    @libcon "Guardian is looking for a paywall model" article is ripped to shreds: http://t.co/VA6arOV

  54. Jamie El-Banna

    Instead of a paywall, how about using #flattr http://t.co/BftfdiN via

  55. Aliya Zaidi

    Reads like a NOTW story: RT @malcolmcoles RT @sunny_hundal EXCLUSIVE: Guardian looking for a paywall model http://t.co/zZddYwj

  56. puddy pad

    Exclusive: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  57. Joseph Stashko

    Sunny Hundal's "Exclusive: Guardian is looking for a paywall" is a masterclass in misleading headlines and hyperbole: http://bit.ly/pckHpM

  58. Ryan Gallagher

    Not accurate & v. misleading RT @Sunny_Hundal: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://t.co/7yxBDFV

  59. leo mc cann

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  60. puddy pad

    You've made this story up, Sunny… RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  61. peter fainton

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  62. Nic Fildes

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  63. Elcin Kurtulus

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  64. James Farquharson

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  65. Andy Flint

    RT @timesjoanna: RT @libcon: Guardian .. paywall model http://t.co/jydO3Dg <Don't think [so] from that quote..! – yep, a non article!!

  66. Michaël Beillaud

    Un de + RT @libcon: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  67. Paul Nezandonyi

    RT @sunny_hundal: EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://t.co/1S5Kip2

  68. malcolm coles

    @sunny_hundal Maybe we should ask @emilybell if she thinks @arusbridger is disagreeing (see http://t.co/zihKD2T) and settle it that way?!

  69. Gareth & Nick

    RT @libcon: Guardian looking for a paywall model? http://t.co/vdZyfOK

  70. Jem Stone

    "I’d be pretty pissed off by a headline saying I’m “looking to get divorced”" (see comment 14) http://bit.ly/pckHpM

  71. Magda Bulska

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  72. Fabien Laborde

    https://liberalconspiracy.org/2011/07/29/exclusive-the-guardian-looking-for-a-paywall-model/

  73. Top Politics Tweets

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  74. Richard Kendall

    Answer lies nearer NYT than London Times RT @thefreeradicals: RT @libcon: Guardian looking for a paywall model? http://t.co/vdZyfOK #paywall

  75. Rhys Brooks

    Is this true? RT The @guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  76. Allister Hayman

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  77. Paul Teverson

    The Guardian may be considering a paywall, reports @sunny_hundal http://bit.ly/pJIYy1

  78. sunny hundal

    Guardian 'watching closely' the New York Times' paywall, says editor Alan Rusbridger http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 (happy now?)

  79. EdH

    That's better! RT @sunny_hundal: Guardian 'watching closely' the NY Times' paywall, says Alan Rusbridger http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 (happy now?)

  80. Michael Turner

    Guardian 'watching closely' the New York Times' paywall, says editor Alan Rusbridger http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 (happy now?)

  81. Charlotte Cooper

    Guardian 'watching closely' the New York Times' paywall, says editor Alan Rusbridger http://bit.ly/nZtOw1 (happy now?)

  82. anna-rose phipps

    RT @libcon: Guardian 'closely' watching NYT's paywall http://t.co/JFDbjjx
    Oh happy bunny lopcute!

  83. Aboodi Shabi

    RT @sunny_hundal: Guardian 'watching closely' the New York Times' paywall, says editor Alan Rusbridger http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  84. Mensch apologises to Morgan, a no-growth situation, and Steve Hilton’s bizarre policy ideas – round up of political blogs for 23 – 29 July | British Politics and Policy at LSE

    […] Sunny Hundal at Liberal Conspiracy dissects the possibility of the Guardian implementing a pay-wall on its website. […]

  85. Gregory Golebiewski

    EXCLUSIVE: The Guardian is looking for a paywall model, reversing earlier stance http://bit.ly/nZtOw1

  86. The press needs a re-write « Though Cowards Flinch

    […] at the best of times; The Times was the first of the UK nationals to put up a pay wall online, the Guardian is considering its own – news from various, free sources has put the willies in the traditional print press, and efforts […]

  87. John Hooper

    @arusbridger in int w/Corriere's Style mag: NYT paywall "interesting because it is permeable". Not tt it is wholly new: http://t.co/oUIyJpPS





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