Information wants to be free, reporters want to be paid, Part 29

The debate over whether newspapers should charge for access to content on their Web sites has largely been academic, thumbs up or thumbs down. But it is not that simple. Most agree newspapers should be able to charge for some things on their sites, but other things should remain free.

Along comes Alan Mutter — a former ink-stained wretch who was an early adopter of new media — with a handy primer on how and what to sell and what to give away.

Mutter, blogging at Newsosaur, warns that “newspapers and broadcasters who are keen on peddling content need to focus on creating saleable product before they begin trying to charge for it.”

He doubts people will be willing to pay for national and international news, sports or entertainment. Too many alternative sources, perhaps. But people will pay for “exclusive information that helps them make money, avoid losing money or, ideally, both at the same time.”

Remember what the originator of that line about information wanting to be free also said. Stewart Brand noted information wants to be “expensive because it can be immeasurably valuable to the recipient.”

Mutter provides a helpful list of attributes for the would-be information seller, from uniqueness through business urgency to localness. Uniqueness tops the list for good reason.