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Are You Willing to Pay for Your Online News?

Posted: 9:29 PM May 1, 2012
Reporter: Terri Russell

RGJ Charging for Online News

RENO, NV - For years, finding stories covered by the Reno Gazette-Journal was as easy as a click of the mouse.

That all ended Tuesday when the paper began charging customers for full access to its online paper.

“I think that's pretty fair, again depending upon the price and I think newspapers are struggling and I think they do a good job and I think they are involved in the community,” says Peggy Arps, a Reno resident.

“That's fine but I won't read it, because I won't pay to read news,” says George Gabel, of Truckee.

That's the risk the local paper takes when it asks non-subscribers to in fact pay to read its content, particularly since other local media outlets, including KOLOTV.com, don't charge.

“The broadcast model is very different. You know there are partnerships with cable companies... so folks have been paying for access for years already. I don't know that there is a downside. I would just say it's change. Someone once said to me all change is loss and all loss must be mourned. So we are in a period of rapid change--evolution. This isn't the end. It's really the beginning for us,” says John Maher, RGJ Media President.

Some papers that have charged for all on-line content have experienced a drop in website hits.

But the RGJ has said non-subscribers will be able to see a limited amount of content in a 30-day period, as well as advertising sites and obituaries.

For those who do not get the paper but want full access, there are plans, including digital-only subscriptions.

If you get the paper you will have full access-but you'll have to go on line and sign up.

The challenge for the RGJ and other papers that decide to charge for their online content?

They must provide stories and pictures that are exclusive to the paper itself... information that is so compelling you are ultimately willing to pay for it.