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[ NNSquad ] Microsoft in Bed with Murdoch in Anti-Google Plan?


              Microsoft in Bed with Murdoch in Anti-Google Plan?

                 http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000639.html


Greetings.  The New York Times is reporting that Microsoft and Rupert
Murdoch are in talks that could lead to an arrangement where Microsoft
would pay Murdoch to remove News Corp. Web sites from Google indexes
( http://bit.ly/784xVT [New York Times] ).

While I realize that such a plan doesn't meet the associated legal
definition, somehow I can't help but think of such a scheme without
echoes of the word "extortion" coming to mind.

According to this report, Microsoft and Murdoch -- The 'Two Mad "M"s'
it seems -- have a vision for the Internet that is the opposite of
inclusion.  Do they really see financial benefits in what amounts to
an "exclusion syndicate" given the realities of the Internet today?
The smell of desperation in the air is nearly palpable.

I must admit that I have an old friend who keeps complaining to me
that he can't find a way to completely and easily remove FOX News from
his customized Google News search results.  He'd probably applaud
anything that might get what he calls "Faux News" completely out of
Google.  I always suggest to him that such an "ostrich-like" stance is
not only unbecoming but unwise -- regardless of how much I personally
agree with his assessment of the particular News Corp. organization's
"quality" overall.
 
But assuming that the report is true and such discussions between
Microsoft and Murdoch really are taking place, it speaks volumes of
how drastically both Microsoft and Murdoch have missed the boat -- a
vessel brightly painted in primary colors, of course.  Sorry boys, it
won't be returning to the dock.

--Lauren--
Lauren Weinstein
lauren@vortex.com
Tel: +1 (818) 225-2800
http://www.pfir.org/lauren
Co-Founder, PFIR
   - People For Internet Responsibility - http://www.pfir.org
Co-Founder, NNSquad
   - Network Neutrality Squad - http://www.nnsquad.org
Founder, GCTIP - Global Coalition 
   for Transparent Internet Performance - http://www.gctip.org
Founder, PRIVACY Forum - http://www.vortex.com
Member, ACM Committee on Computers and Public Policy
Lauren's Blog: http://lauren.vortex.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenweinstein