Belgian newspapers may retain their niche, but clearly aren't interested in growth
So, it's a long-standing truth that I'm a fan of copyright. As a writer (even a wannabe), I realise the value in creative media.
However, as a former journalist, I also realise the news coverage is fleeting -- one of our calls was to write ten articles a day and sell them all three times. There's no art in journalism -- at least not in news coverage.
Now, a bunch of Belgian newspapers have decided that they're tired of Google ripping them off, and want their sites blocked from indexing for Google News. Well, frankly, good for them. As use of the Internet goes up, and cross-border media become more common, it's obvious that they'll legally drive themselves out of business. After all, if more and more of the local market look to the Internet, and you don't draw them directly -- I doubt we'll see marketing on the level of Google for a podunk Belgian Francophone rag.
Anyway, it's stupid. Then again, Belgian...
Check it out yourself
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/303564_googlebelgium14.html
However, as a former journalist, I also realise the news coverage is fleeting -- one of our calls was to write ten articles a day and sell them all three times. There's no art in journalism -- at least not in news coverage.
Now, a bunch of Belgian newspapers have decided that they're tired of Google ripping them off, and want their sites blocked from indexing for Google News. Well, frankly, good for them. As use of the Internet goes up, and cross-border media become more common, it's obvious that they'll legally drive themselves out of business. After all, if more and more of the local market look to the Internet, and you don't draw them directly -- I doubt we'll see marketing on the level of Google for a podunk Belgian Francophone rag.
Anyway, it's stupid. Then again, Belgian...
Check it out yourself
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/303564_googlebelgium14.html