The European Newspaper Publishers' Association said Monday that Google's decision to allow advertising on its news section will hurt newspapers' advertising revenue online and make it difficult for newspapers to form productive partnerships with Google. "With such a move, Google does not follow its public statements to publishers that it would not place advertisements on its news service. It also sends a very negative signal that there is no intention by Google to negotiate in an open and fair basis with newspaper publishers," wrote ENPA, an international association that seeks to promote the interests of the European newspaper industry. "ENPA encourages newspapers publishers, where this is found appropriate, to consider all legal and other means to ensure that Google understands the harm it is causing to readers, journalists and other employees and its impact in the industry, democracy and employment," ENPA said.

Meanwhile, The Times reported Tuesday that Google is arguing that newspaper mergers in the United Kingdom should be allowed to take place because of the competition from Internet firms. "Google supports the position of many newspapers for the need to allow for a 21st century merger regime, allowing local and regional news services to merge and consolidate in order to create...competitive news offerings," wrote Matt Brittin, the managing director of Google U.K., in a letter to the U.K. Office of Fair Trading.
-- Winter Casey