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Stephen Downes

Knowledge, Learning, Community

Auntie, The School Bully

John Cassy, Sept 26, 2002

The Guardian wouldn't have a stake in the outcome of this debate, would it? Hard to tell from the headline. This article is a recap of the long running dispute between the government, which would like to offer educational materials for free on the internet, and publishers, who argue the move would cause massive damage to their industry. "A broad alliance of publishers, software companies and media groups already in the business of selling educational products claim that they could lose up to £400m if the corporation is allowed to spend £150m of licence fee-payers' money on building a service that is similar to their own but is free of charge." Well, of course, it is not in any way similar to their own, for otherwise there would be no need for the government initiative. Moreoever, these publishers ought to consider the fact that new media may damage their earnings no matter what. Finally, I think it's a bit much for commercial enterprises to be saying that the government should not be providing education. A bit much indeed.

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