Vatican becomes the latest publisher to erect a paywall
Pope Benedict and Rupert Murdoch might on first glance appear to have little in common but the two figures are in accord on one matter if no others – the need to establish an online paywall.
Benedict has followed Murdoch’s lead and sanctioned the erection of an online paywall for the official newspaper of the Vatican, L’Osservatore Romano.
The historic 150 year old title has launched its online edition in a bid to bring in a wider audience for its ecclesiastical news but from September this will be at the cost of a “small charge”.
A product of the world’s titchiest state the paper is keen to promote its international leanings, providing extensive analysis of major stories such as the US debt crisis.
In an announcement to readers about the launch the paper said: “We publish what the others ignore and ignore a lot of what the others publish."
Despite being a traditionalist Benedict has not been slow to latch onto the opportunities presented by social media.