would you pay to read a newspaper online?

[daffy654]

I have read recently that some local newspapers are going to start charging a subscription for people to view their websites. I would just stop using those websites and wondered how many people will actually want to pay to view news stories they could previously read for free.

http://business.times...ia/article6938267.ece

[ChuckFickens]

I wouldn't, but I can see their point (especially as my previous job was for the local paper)

The sales of papers has declined hugely over the last few years, one of the main reasons for this is people reading it on the internet. now this means the papers are still paying the reporters etc but they are not getting any income from the sale of the paper.

seems only fair that they should try to recoup their costs somehow.

(the counter argument would be that the actual cost of a paper only covers the distribution costs for the physical paper and other costs are covered by advertising, as there is now no paper then those distribution cost no longer need to be met)

[ummmm]

The only newspapers I read on the internet are the links put up on here.

I go out each morning and buy the express....if I finish that I'll go back out and buy the mail. The shop is just over the road though.

I don't think you can beat page turning..

[daffy654]

I won't be buying the newspaper from the shop either,I didn't before they had a website and won't do so if they go subscription only. I think they may find many thousands of others do exactly the same.

[daffy654]

It is nothing like downloading music for free. The newspapers currently provide free access to their content online, the music producers are not the ones putting the music content on P2P programs and sites.

[daffy654]

Mainly because as someone who is housebound I cannot get to the shop daily to buy a paper,there are no shops locally who would deliver the paper and then come to the house to collect payment from me....and why should they?
I refuse to pay for access to the online newspaper because the standard of reporting is abysmal on our local paper website,the spelling and grammar are primary school standard.

[daffy654]

I do my shopping online at Tesco. I do have family but would not expect them to come over every day just to bring me a newspaper,I didn't have children just to have them be my slaves now that two of them are grown up.
And you would know my thoughts on illegally downloading films and music etc. if you have seen any questions that have ever arisen on that subject. I'm famed for 'going on about it' on AB.lol

[mccfluff]

on of our competitors is trialing this in 30 of their publications, i guess the head honcho's will be watching very closely. we have changed a lot in the way we work over the last few years and increasing digital advertising is a biggie

[daffy654]

I'm not trying to get the newspaper for free.I am happy to use the site whilst it is free,but would not try and 'hack' into it if they start to charge. It is my right (morally or otherwise) to say I will no longer use a service if the provider starts to charge for access. It is not my responsibility to keep the employees of that newspaper in employment. It will be unfortunate if they do lose their jobs but no way am I going to be held responsible for that!
By the way,Tesco doesn't deliver daily local papers,and even if they did i'm hardly likely to pay the £5.00 delivery charge every day am I?

[society]

no; i'd never pay to read an online newspaper.

[jon1968]

Not a chance! These papers need to get up to speed and understand that most people use the internet for news these days and those that don’t have the internet aren’t going to pay for something they used to get for free!? If these free publications haven’t got the wherewithal to put ads on their websites (as all the majors do) then more fool them. Either they’re a very good read and worth the cover price or their entire existence is dependent on advertising revenue?
Why the dig at Daffy? It’s not about ‘getting it for free’ or a ‘gimme’!? I might read it if it lands on my doormat but unless it’s good I won’t buy it.

Like Ummm I buy a paper every day ‘cause I like plotting with a cuppa and having a read - and skip the adverts, but I read all the others online - and skip the adverts too.
I wouldn’t give The Guardian tuppence but I read it every day. They’ve taken a punt that enough people will click on one of their advert links to offset or subsidise the costs of the web presence. These two bob local papers are shooting themselves in the foot.

[cazzz1975]

For Funks Sake jayson, give it a rest if daffy wants to read a newspaper via the internet then that is her choice.

[Sam.Spade]

i must be thick, why are newspapers put onto the internet if people are reading them for free instead of buying them. just don't put them on.