New York Times to stop charging for online access

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The New York Times announced Monday it would stop charging for access to certain articles and archives on its web site, reversing a marketing plan implemented two years ago.

The widely read newspaper, also known as the "Old Gray Lady," said it was canceling the pay-for-access system to some columnists' work and back articles because of the greater potential for revenue from online advertising.

The change takes effect Monday at midnight (Tuesday 0400 GMT).

The old program, called TimesSelect, required readers to pay 49.95 dollars per year or 7.95 a month in order to read the work of popular columnists such as Thomas Friedman, Maureen Dowd and Paul Krugman.

Now, the entire site will be accessible for free, including archives from...