Would Joint Action on Paid Content Violate Antitrust Laws?
The under-the-radar meeting hosted by the Newspaper Association of America (NAA) Thursday brought together top newspaper executives to discuss various issues, including the much-debated topic of charging for online content.
Participants aren’t commenting specifically on their discussions, but the summit raises the question: Can newspapers collectively decide to put content behind a pay wall? And if they did, would that violate antitrust laws?
Aside from the historical precedence of the industry’s past attempts at togetherness — such as the failed New Century Network or the inability to standardize ad formats and billing — it would be miracle indeed if newspapers decided to simultaneously erect pay walls.
John Sturm, the NAA’s CEO, told E&P today that at no point was price discussed during the gathering that included McClatchy chief Gary Pruitt, Dallas Morning News Publisher Jim Moroney, Lee Enterprises’ Mary Junck and E.W.
WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.
Subscribe today!
To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber
Already a member? Sign in