Recently I was put
into a very uncomfortable situation, a situation that more people should be put
in. I was asked whether I pay for the content I read online and whether I would
be prepared to pay for it in the future?
My answer was no,
I do not pay for journalism and to be quiet frank I should be ashamed of
myself. I am a 24 year old student in my final year of university studying a
bachelor of communication majoring in journalism and once I finish, which will
be in a matter of months I am expecting to get a paid job.
The question which
really needs to be posed is If I don’t pay for the content I read then who will?
And where will the money come from? Advertising has always been a reliable
source of funding but its never smart to put all of your eggs in one basket.
Many online news
sites are now charging a small fee for their content, this move has seen both
positive and negative results. It was only last month that the British Sun Newspaper
began charging 2 pound for a digital entertainment package. The package includes exclusive deals and rewards with retails partners and according to the australian.com many Australian publishers have announced their plans to do the same.
Editor
of The Sun David Dinsmore described the payment introduction on his Twitter
account as "One small click for man, one giant leap for the future of
news. Sun+ is here".
In
an interview with Sky News Dinsmore said “I don’t mind how you consume the Sun,
if you want to read it in print product that's fine, if you want to read it
online great, I don't care as long as you’re paying for the product.”
I
agree with Mr Dinsmore, people are working hard for this content, why should it be for free?Lets be totally honest with ourselves, 2 pound
really is nothing, people would be spending more on their morning coffee.
Maybe after
reading this you will reconsider you decision about paying for online content and if
you already pay for your content then GOOD ON YOU! The next few years are crucial in
the news industry and It will be the way in which media companies respond to the
changing circumstances along with the general public that will reveal the direction journalism
takes in this digital age.
Remember….nothing
in life is FREE…
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