Journal Register Co. will launch Web sites for 43 weeklies, overseen by Web-development company methodfive, which has already developed online editorial and classified systems for the company. The Washington Post Co. changes the name of its Digital Ink subsidiary to Washingtonpost. Newsweek Interactive and plans to launch a Web presence for the weekly newsmagazine, currently available on America Online. Newspapers launches 11 new Web sites, including redesigns for three daily newspaper sites, real estate site North Shore at Home, classifieds sites and directory sites for home, health, business, bridal services and dining. To celebrate its fifth anniversary, the San Jose Mercury News drops the subscription fee for Mercury Center .
Online acquisitions continue.
The U.S. House of Representatives unaminously approves a bill to ban new Internet taxes for three years. The Federal Trade Commission releases a stinging report criticizing the online industry's attempts at self-regulation on privacy issues, particularly in the area of children's online use. Its study of 212 children's sites found less than 10 percent had a mechanism for parents to control the personal information requested by the site. The bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives, would protect the unauthorized copying and commercial use of databases like newspaper classifieds. The number of households with at least one PC rose 11.4 percent last year, according to Ziff-Davis Market Intelligence.