The Standard-Times of New Bedford, Massachusetts, has begun charging for its online local content. The paper, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch’s Dow Jones Local Media Group, is charging about $3/week (depending on where you live) to access its site, SouthCoastToday.com. If you don’t pay, you can only access ten free pages of local news per month. Access to national and international news as well as weather reports will remain free. (Got all that?) From NewsAndTech:
“Our readers are well aware that our media group has taken the tough steps of the past year to become more efficient.” (Publisher Mary) Harrington wrote in a publisher’s note. “Now we have carefully crafted a plan that allows everyone to continue to sample our content either as a visitor or a registered member. Our loyal print subscribers can gain full access under a free trial and on renewal opt to continue that access for a small incremental fee.”
The paper’s move comes as Rupert Murdoch rolls out his overall charge-for-content plan, and as he threatens various sites and aggregators that link to News Corp. content.
