Leading Croatian newspaper publishers are poised to introduce digital subscription fees by the end of this month to restrict the open access concept, and some of the news websites are also likely to introduce site licences in the coming weeks.

The 24 Sata tabloid is making last preparations to introduce charges for access to its online content, citing global trends.

“We plan to introduce digital subscription by no later than the end of March. We are fine-tuning the final details so as to provide our users with the best possible experience. Charging for access to the online content is not a novelty in the world,” a source from this daily told the state news agency Hina.

They claim that a large majority of the newspaper’s content will remain free of charge.

More precisely, open access will be available for content of public interest, the source added. However, they did not specify how much the charge for access would be.

The Vecernji List daily, another newspaper from the Styria Group, told Hina that it would introduce digital subscription fees in the coming months. Its director, Renato Ivanus, said that they had hammered out payment options and types of content that would not be available free of charge, also without revealing any details.

The Hanza Media publisher plans to introduce digital subscription fees for the online edition of its flagship product, Jutarnji List daily.

Telegram is also among the news websites that will soon limit access to its content free of charge.