Is the era of free online news over?

     Rupert Murdock, declaring that the era of free online content is over, tells the Guardian that all his news properties will be pay-only by the end of the year.

     Here's a typical quote: "Quality journalism is not cheap," said Murdoch. "The digital revolution has opened many new and inexpensive distribution channels but it has not made content free. We intend to charge for all our news websites."

      Wanna bet how long it takes the rest of the industry to follow -- at least how long it takes anyone actually intending to continue publishing.