LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) -- Leading newspapers in Slovenia launched a project Monday aimed at raising revenue by charging a single fee for access to their online sites.
A dozen Slovenian newspapers will gradually go behind a common pay wall under a project called Piano, which offers unlimited online access to articles considered exclusive for a single fee of euro1.99 ($2.52) per week, euro4.98 ($6.31) a month or euro48.90 ($61.95) per year.
The eight major Slovenian publishers, including the biggest daily newspaper, Delo, are bidding to charge for their web content because readers continue to abandon print in favor of online news.
Delo plans to place around 10 percent of its content behind the pay wall, which was in place Monday.
"The idea is simple," senior Delo editor Ali Zerdin said. "A smaller part of Delo's content will be accessible only for those who are ready to pay for credible information, especially commentaries, analysis and exclusive stories."
In May, all major Slovak newspapers and others went behind one common pay wall and offered unlimited access to areas considered exclusive, for a single fee of euro2.90 ($3.67) a month.
The Slovak Piano Media company, which is in charge of the project, says it has been a success in that country. It is planning to expand to at least three other countries besides Slovenia this year.
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