Web Site Will Be Ad-Free but Not Fee-Free

Consumer Reports’ new World Wide Web site bills itself as a “commercial-free zone” in keeping with its practice of not accepting advertising. But although the site, which is to be launched this week, will be free of advertising, consumers will have to pay to access the organization’s most popular information, including product ratings. Subscribers will be charged $2.95 a month or $24 a year--the same rate Consumers Union charges for its Consumer Reports magazine. Magazine subscribers will get a discount on the online service. Consumers Union said it is charging for its information to cover costs that other magazines and Web sites pay for through advertising.