‘Paid Content Is The Future’

Nearly all news sites will charge for content within 12 months, according to the Financial Times editor.

Lionel Barber said he did not know which particular payment models would be used, but he remains convinced they will be installed by this time next year, reports Guardian.co.uk.

Speaking at a Media Standards Trust event, Barber pointed out that his own newspaper’s website has achieved success with its pricing system for quality niche content.

And he suggested other news organisations will soon be following suit, citing the New York Times as an example.

“How these online payment models work and how much revenue they can generate is still up in the air,” said Barber.

“But I confidently predict that within the next 12 months, almost all news organisations will be charging for content.”

The full text of the editor’s speech is available on the Media Standards Trust website.

And the Guardian discussed his comments on its recent Media Talk podcast.