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In 2010 the debate over paid content will experience a brawny resurgence as media companies are trying to contemplate their previous losses in the online realm and induce a new balanced scheme between cost and revenue. In the meantime, the latest developments in mobile computing are rushing these companies to adapt their practices to the new media landscape and expand their activities in the e-publishing industry. So, where does this leave us, the consumers?

Up until now we were used to ingest news and information almost at no cost – set aside the Murdoch portfolio; and, this is about to change. As the print fades away and the digital edition takes its place, the economics of the media industry are shifting. I will not deliberate on the merits and flaws of this transference, because it will eventually happen. The industry is in need of a new business model in order to absorb the ramifications of the latest financial crisis and the constant demand for fewer barriers to the flux of information. From a corporate point of view, this is the most important task at hand in order to secure a viable future, but from the consumers’ perspective this change is going to hurt the web’s innate values of equality and freedom – the same ones governments and legal institutions are trying to tame, and deteriorate the quality of their online experience.

The inevitability of the things to come frightens me, but it also sends chills down the conglomerate spine. Why? Because piracy will expand in territories never before roamed. There will always be people who can hack firewalls and security measures, plus more people will delve into the Do-It-Yourself domain for customized solutions to satisfy their informational needs.  Will this reaction be tolerated? I do not think there is any other choice, though a new season of e-witch hunting will commence. But, I have to be honest with you; I find this forthcoming reaction a healthy one, because the actions of the people, who will react, will act as leverage for the consumers in their relationship with the content providers.

I believe that the future will not be built by imposed policies, but by negotiations with the active online community. Don’t you think it’s about time we met halfway?

[photo by Olivier Nade]