Economist puts up paywall around archive content

The Economist is erecting a paywall around online content which is more than 90 days old, beginning next Tuesday (13 October).

The website’s existing paywall gives non-subscribers access to editorial published within the past 12 months.

Also moving to subscriber-only is the feature allowing readers to browse the current edition of the print version of the magazine.

Ben Edwards, the publisher of the Economist‘s website, said: “Our intention is to continue to develop intelligent discussion as a free, advertising-supported experience, but to charge for the weekly magazine online.”

An online subscription to the paper costs £50 a year, with a print subscription costing £127, or £102 if paid for by direct debit.

The debate around charging for online content is continuing apace, with Rupert Murdoch’s News International intending to begin charging for access to its news sites over the coming months, although other publishers have not been so forthright with their plans.