Microsoft in Bed with Murdoch in Anti-Google Plan?

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Lauren Weinstein <lauren () vortex com>
> Date: November 23, 2009 1:40:31 PM EST
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: 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



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