The Financial Times may be re-evaluating its online strategy of charging viewers to read stories and rely instead on revenue from advertising, according to a story in the Guardian newspaper.
The paper quoted Marjorie Scardino, the CEO of parent Pearson PLC, discussing the change after the company reported second-quarter earnings.
Reporter Richard Wray wrote, “Ms Scardino admitted yesterday that charging for so much FT.com content ‘does in some way hinder our participation in the online debate’.
“‘I do think there is a debate about how much visibility you want for your journalism on the internet,’ she added.
“Ms Scardino said Rona Fairhead, the former Pearson chief financial officer put in charge of the Financial Times Group in May, is looking at ways to transform the newspaper’s online franchise. ‘She is going to be re-examining the model,’ said Ms Scardino, who added: ‘I’m trying to stay out of Rona’s way.’
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