By Matt Purdue
The dictionary describes hubris as overbearing pride or presumption. The word should be inscribed on the New York Times’ 1.5-million-square-foot, 52-floor tower in New York.
It seems the New York Times is, once again, ready to make readers pay for content. New York Magazine recently ran an excellent article on the company’s plans. While we’re waiting for details, it appears the Times will move to some sort of metered system in 2011, under which readers will be able to view a set number of articles for free, then be forced to pay for anything extra.
What world are New York Times’ executives living in where they actually believe the average reader will pay for their content? Journalism pundits have suggested the NY Times’ model will work because the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times have gotten away with it. But they’re missing the big picture: Most of the business world must read the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times. It’s simply the cost of doing business.