Statement of Robert Thomson, Chief Executive of News Corp, On Google's Decision to End 'First Click
Free'
News Corp Chief Executive Robert Thomson has responded to news that Google is ending its First Click Free feature, saying that
"The felicitous demise of First Click Free (Second Click Fatal) is an important first step in recognizing the value of legitimate
journalism and provenance on the Internet."
"We will monitor this change closely to ensure that consumers can indeed find the work of our journalists online, and will
report what we learn, for better or for worse. If the change is properly introduced, the impact will be profoundly positive for
journalists everywhere and for the cause of informed societies," said Mr. Thomson. "Fake news has prospered on digital platforms
which have commodified content and thus enabled bad actors to game the system for commercial or political gain."
Mr. Thomson first discussed Google's plan to end First Click Free at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference on September 12,
when he said "Google has been involved in serious negotiations with us about the future of content, about our relationship with
them directly, but more importantly, I think Sundar Pichai deserves a lot of credit for taking a different approach. Because it’s
not just us...when you look at fake news, when you look at false metrics, when you look at faux advertising, something has to
change, both from a commercial perspective, content perspective but also from a social perspective....There's a lot more to
negotiate, there's a long way to go, but their willingness to end 'First Click Free' should be celebrated by all publishers."
About News Corp
News Corp (NASDAQ:NWS)(NASDAQ:NWSA)(ASX:NWS)(ASX:NWSLV) is a global, diversified media and information services company focused
on creating and distributing authoritative and engaging content to consumers throughout the world. The company comprises businesses
across a range of media, including: news and information services, book publishing, digital real estate services, and cable network
programming and pay-TV distribution in Australia. Headquartered in New York, the activities of News Corp are conducted primarily in
the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. More information: http://www.newscorp.com.
News Corp
Corporate Communications
Jim Kennedy, 212-416-4064
jkennedy@newscorp.com
or
Investor Relations
Michael Florin, 212-416-3363
mflorin@newscorp.com
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