Omikron Media

Rupert Murdoch doesn’t like Google

Rupert Murdoch, no stranger to controversy, is coming out against Google and other search engine giants:

“We’d rather have fewer people coming to our website, but paying.” In reference to “search people,” he next added, “They don’t suddenly become loyal readers of our content.” (source WebProNews)

Murdoch’s position makes sense. He establishes all his media outlets with profits in mind. He has taken Fox News Network to the top of Cable news by creating more entertaining (I’m not so sure about “fair and balanced” part though) content then his competitors and providing a point of view that was previously unheard on cable TV. He has also lifted the New York Post from near bankruptcy to a succesful right-wing newspaper through creative content.

Even more suprising, or not so considering his background, when asked about why NewsCorp. Doesn’t block search engines he stated, “Well, I think we will…”

While the posibility of NewsCorp. removing all their articles from search engines would be a dream come true for small news outlets, I’m not sure this will be the case. In the interview Murdoch does cite the Wall Street Journal’s online approach; which is offering samples in search results and offering the full article as part of a subscription service. This seems the more likely path for Murdoch and NewsCorps; why deny copious ammounts of traffic?

What do you think Murdoch and NewsCorps. will do?

Here is the video of the full interview with Sky News:

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