Journalist launches petition to close down news websites for a week

The debate about making online content paid-for has been raging in the media world for a while now. Though this move may not be completely evident to people, several media pundits have advocated the view, stressing that newspapers can be saved from extinction by making this crucial, but improbable, change in the news-providing process.

T.J. Sullivan, freelance writer and former staffer at four dailies, talked to journalism.co.uk, about his online petition, suggesting that Associated Press (AP) and other US newspapers to shut their websites for a week in July 2009. In an effort to put the spotlight on the importance of news-gathering organisations, Sullivan hopes to educate people "of the colossal domino effect that the loss of newspapers is having on both democracy and every other type of newsgathering organisation"

Media houses and industry experts have explored this idea, considering the pros and cons of having people pay for something that has always been free. Some argue that the amount of revenue generated from news websites cannot considerably change the fate of print newspapers and thus a move like this could be more self-destructing. What was clear was that if online content has to become a paid-for model, only a consolidated effort from the media industry can change the situation. Thus making petitions like Sullivan's a heroic effort, but one that could be doomed from the start.

Sullivan remains hopeful. "I hope the goal of the petition is realised - that newspapers and The Associated Press actually unplug their websites for one week starting July 4 2009."


Sources : journalism.co.uk