Media Week, Media Week, 20 November 2007, 00:00am

FT stands by online paid-for model

The Financial Times will stick with its current paid-for model, even if the Wall Street Journal makes all of its online content available for free, according to its chief executive, John Ridding.

Ridding said he was "absolutely confident" that FT.com would continue to expand its online readership, even if its rival stopped its subscription service, because a one-size-fits-all model "didn't work".

"Readers should be able to choose the level of the relationship they have with their newspaper, not the other way around," he said.

"We feel that the model we have introduced is a smart and flexible approach, and we believe it offers content and value."

He added: "People are prepared to pay for quality, independent journalism."

Rupert Murdoch has indicated to shareholders that he would like to abolish charges for the WSJ when News Corporation acquires its parent company Dow Jones next month.

Content on FT.com is partially accessible. A "light" registration is needed to view more than five articles.

After 30 articles are viewed in a month, the user is required to pay a subscription fee.