Student’s Perspective
Picture Source: Wall Street Journal
Yes I believe that most of us can feel the pain, right!? Irritating much whenever a paywall pops up!
Can you imagine that we have to pay for all the online information that we have access to? To be honest, if I had to pay for all the sources that I have used online – I would not be going online to look for information anymore. Besides, the web is used as a platform for users, content provider and enterprise to simply view or download the content (TechTarget, 2014). Therefore it seems legit for users to be able to obtain materials online freely, yes?
Author’s Perspective
Besides the cost of producing digital content is relatively low ($0.0007!!) as compared to the past where hardcopies are being printed (Wildley, 2012). In addition, allowing the access to others freely give the producer a chance to further improve their work through the comments of others (Paul, 2004). This also means that they might be able to get the exposure and even lead to major organizations noticing them and paying them for large sum of money for future research and projects!
However certain online content might have high cost and this might be unfair for the publishing company. In addition, by allowing access online freely for everyone also means that their information might also be misrepresented by others. By having a paid wall therefore reduce the risk of such cases.
Marketing and Business Perspective
Why do we go online to research on a product or service that we are interested in? It’s free and it’s convenient. In fact a survey has shown that 80% of global consumers research online for products before visiting the store to purchase products (RUETER, 2012). Therefore from a business perspective, allowing consumers to obtain this information freely online actually benefits businesses significantly. For example, businesses can find out more about their market through these online contents. This is further supported by a survey done by McKinsey Global where majority of the business respondents had gained measurable business benefits by being exposed online on the Web to customers and suppliers (Mckinsey, 2009). This is because this allows consumers to be aware of promotions or new products etc and therefore reach out to them. However, if this information is not made freely available – how many of us would still go online to research on these products and patronize them?
However personally I feel that this does not benefit to ALL type of businesses. For instances, the film and music industry could be adversely affected by copyrights issue. Since many films could be obtained online (illegally), it affects the number of people who purchase albums. In fact, in recent years albums by artists were sold at all-time low (Hasty, 2014) compared to the other years when artist’s work are not being made so freely online.
References
Colberg, J. (2010). why information should remain free. Retrieved from Joerg Colberg: http://jmcolberg.com/weblog/2010/01/why_information_should_remain_free/
Hasty, K. (2014, September). Retrieved from HitFix: http://www.hitfix.com/immaculate-noise/album-sales-at-an-all-time-low-5-things-that-only-maybe-could-save-2014
Mckinsey. (2009, Sept). Retrieved from Mckinsey & Company: http://www.mckinsey.com/insights/business_technology/how_companies_are_benefiting_from_web_20_mckinsey_global_survey_results
Paul. (2004). Retrieved from pdfernhout: http://www.pdfernhout.net/open-letter-to-grantmakers-and-donors-on-copyright-policy.html
RUETER, T. (2012, March 30). Retrieved from Vertical Web Media: https://www.internetretailer.com/2012/03/30/most-shoppers-go-online-research-products
TechTarget. (2014, Nov). Retrieved from TechTarget: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Web-20-or-Web-2
Wildley, D. (2012, February). Retrieved from Centre for American Progress: http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED535639.pdf
That’s all folks!
kellysayswee 
Hi Kelly!
You made a really good about from the business perspective! For me, when I was having very dry lips for the past few months. After I search online to know more about my condition and the type of lip balms that I should buy, I quickly got the ones recommended and my condition improved not long after! Content producer get paid by businesses, Readers get to find what they want and businesses can achieve better sales!
However, I don’t agree that we have to pay for music every time. I won’t pay for it (only sometimes) because there are so many online websites to listen it for free! For example, Spotify, Youtube and many free Apple app etc. Since there are already so many platform to listen music for free, i’m ashamed to admit that I can’t afford to pay for the numerous of music I like. As a music lover and student, how can I pay for all music? I know its very unfair for music content producers, so I have another suggestions for music content producer. You can check out David Choi’s playlist! He advertises before the music starts. Do you pay for all music you support? Why?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Pingback: Topic 5- I will pay for global news but not entertainment! (Reflection) | Sylvia.
Hey Kelly
I feel the same way as you on those annoying paywalls and I agree with you that businesses can benefit from putting up free content on the web.
On your point about the film and music industry being affected by copyrights issue, i would like to share a video with you. Its about Neil Richard Gaiman’s views on copyright piracy and the web. As a famous author / content producer of short fiction, novels, comic books and graphic novels, he has a different view on the subject
Also, you mentioned about certain online content might have high cost and this might be unfair for the publishing company. Could you give an example or two of that?
LikeLike
Pingback: isaaclye | Reflection : Topic 5