The Independent on Murdoch's paywall gamble

Ian Burrell in the Independent today asks if Rupert Murdoch's paywall gamble is paying off.
He finds some negatives, with claims that some advertisers are abandoning the site and analysts who are unconvinced by the paywall. Times reporters are also said to be unhappy about a loss of reach and voice online since the introduction of the paywall.
Burrell adds: "Publicists have told me that clients are increasingly reluctant to give interviews or stories to The Times, on the grounds that they would not be made freely available via search engines."
But he also quotes Sir Martin Sorrell, chief executive of the world's biggest advertising group WPP, stating: "We think paywalls are essential, because we think giving away content for free, particularly if consumers value that content, makes no sense. Consumers have to pay for content they value."