Queen’s University mass communication expert Vincent Mosco is available to talk about the Globe and Mail introducing a metered paywall for its website starting on Oct. 22.

The Globe announced today that there will be free online access to most print subscribers and casual readers will get to access 10 articles a month on its website. Dr. Mosco notes that few companies have succeeded with paywalls. Those that have, such as the New York Times, tend to be elite papers with national/global upscale readership, and a reputation for the highest quality journalism.

“The fee for non-subscribers to the print edition is steep. But there are lots of ‘workarounds’ for people who don't want to pay, including ten free articles a month and access via Twitter and Facebook posts to Globe articles that do not count against the monthly cap,” Dr. Mosco says.

Dr. Mosco is a professor emeritus who specializes in the sociology of communication and information technology. He is the author of numerous books on communication, technology and society (including The Political Economy of Communication).

Please note that Dr. Mosco is based in Ottawa.

To arrange an interview, please contact communication officers Michael Onesi (office: 613.533.6000 ext. 77513, michael.onesi@queensu.ca) or Anne Craig (office: 613-533-2877, Anne.Craig@queensu.ca) at Queen’s University News and Media Services Department in Kingston, Ont., Canada.

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