Mediaviikko commits suicide

I used to read Mediaviikko magazine online regularly. My interest was hightened a year ago, when they published a controversal and provocative editorial praising the new copyright law (see also Butt Ugly Weblog’s analysis in English). In brief, the editorial contained numerous mistakes, factual errors and outright lies. The editorial gained many comments in a short time, most just pointing out errors. Mediaviikko abruptly removed all the comments, claiming they were “too profane” and started to moderate all further comments on all their articles and editorials. If that wasn’t bad enough, they revised the original editorial in silence.

Mediaviikko continued to attack proponents of the new copyright law, labelling all critics as “pirates, criminals and propagandists” in their January 2006 editorial. In May 2006 Mediaviikko decided it was time for another PR-stunt. With the help of columnist Tuulikki Ukkola they defended the tabloid magazine Seiska’s decision to publish pictures of Lordi’s band members. That would have been acceptable, had they not likened Lordi fans with the SS-jugend and islamic terrorists.

Today I was eager to read Mediaviikko’s twist on the YouTube copyright infringement story. Their excerpt read “theft must end!” – so I was guessing they were up to no good once again. I wasn’t able to read their article however, because it turned out that only subscribed readers can now view their content. I could subscribe for “only” 99€. Well forget it.

I find it hard to believe that Mediaviikko will benefit from this. I don’t think that anyone will want to pay 99€ for their service, because:

• Their news coverage is nothing out of the ordinary.
• All the comments are moderated, so they have no real dialogue with the readers.
• Their website just isn’t cool enough. There are no features that you would want to pay 99€ per year for.
• Their reporters don’t blog.
• Their website is way too dull and just way too ugly.

So, auf wieder sehen und bis bald, Mediaviikko.