AIG’s bonus encore, The New York Times’ online subscription gamble
Good day for chutzpah; Bad day for free news
GOOD DAY FOR: Chutzpah, as floundering insurance giant AIG is seeking White House permission to dole out $2.4 million in bonuses next week for some 40 high-ranking executives. AIG, which has received $180 billion in federal rescue funds to keep it afloat, sparked a national furor earlier in the year for giving bonuses at a unit blamed for much of our current economic problems. AIG doesn’t really need federal permission, but is hoping for political cover. (The Washington Post)
BAD DAY FOR: Free news, after The New York Times Co. floated the idea of charging a monthly $5 subscription fee for reading its flagship newspaper. NYTimes.com is the most-visted news site on the Web, but it is hurting along with the wider media industry from a drop in advertising. The Times said it will probably start charging for access on mobile devices before its website. (Bloomberg)
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president