Murdoch’s online charge plan may be delayed

News Corp chairman and chief executive Rupert Murdoch has hinted at a possible delay in plans to charge online users for access to content on the company’s newspaper websites, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

According to the reports, Murdoch – in a conference call with journalists – said they are “working very very hard” on the model but couldn’t promise that the plan will be complete by the company’s self-imposed deadline of the end of the current financial year.

When asked about the plans, Murdoch said “it’s a work in progress”, but refused to comment about a delay, reports the newspaper.

In the US, News Corp recently announced a reported 11 perent rise in first quarter net income to $US571 million, with first quarter consolidated operating income, or earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), up nine percent.