The Isaacson-Kinsley debate...

...continued on the Charlie Rose Show this week. Walter Isaacson himself, Mort Zuckerman, the publisher of the New York Daily News, and Robert Thomson, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal appeared on the show to discuss the future of newspapers. Isaacson once again raised the idea of micropayments which would allow newspapers to charge for content on the Internet. Thomson appeared to gloat a little after it was acknowledged that the Journal has been more successful than others in requiring subscriptions for its online users. This was especially so when it was noted that even its cross-town rival, the good, grey New York Times is available online for free. Zuckerman pointed out that the Journal is different, however; businesses can write off the subscriptions as a tax deduction. I found that to be a little ironic: the free market bible is actually government subsidized.