The "List of Shame"-Post newspaper websites that have gone to "metered reading" or behind a paywall.

[Ken Burch]

It appears a large number of newspapers, across the country, just did this at the same time. List those that you know of, especially if they include your hometown paper...let's create a "list of shame" on this.

I'll start...

my hometown paper, the Juneau Empire-METERED READING.

Also, the Seattle Times(the right-wing paper that forced its more liberal rival, the Post-Intelligencer, into web-only publication.)-PAYWALL.

Let's build a real picture of how far this has gone, across the country. Paywalls and "metered reading" are rationing of news on a class basis, and need to be called out as such.

[kestrel91316]

1. Los Angeles Times

[sendero]

2. Ya know...

... real content takes $$$ to produce. I don't see how anyone can fault someone trying to get paid for thier work.

That said, 90% of "journalism" as practiced in this country isn't worth anything at all regardless of its cost to produce. But certainly there are some newspapers doing worthwhile things and if they cannot get any revenue they cannot continue to do so.

The internet ad model has never been particularly useful for this.

[GodlessBiker]

3. I don't think it's any more shameful to charge ...

for an online version of a paper than it is to charge for a hard copy version.

We should make our purchases wisely.

[Ken Burch]

4. It would be different if the charges weren't a significant markup from the newsstand price.

They should charge far LESS for online news, in fact, since they don't have to pay the costs of printing and daily hard-copy distribution.

Also, it represents rationing-by-technology, with access to news increasingly limited to those with both money AND internet availability.

[Robb]

6. Our library has begun buying subscriptions

for pay news sites, just as they do for print periodicals.

[Ken Burch]

7. perhaps we should subsudize "news cafes" where the subscriptions would be paid for

through fund-raising, and free coffee and snacks could be provided to those without funds who wanted to keep informed.

[olddots]

5. I would pay for the L.A. times feed if they gave a clue about the price.

A very dumb sales pitch like joining a cult scam or " just charge it " .

[Travis_0004]

8. I really can't blame newspapers for creating a paywall

With changes in technology, subscriptions are down, and a lot of newspapers are going under. Charging for the content is better than no content at all, and if you don't like it, then don't buy it.

There is a ton of content you have to pay for. I can't get CNN without paying for it, and nobody seems to complain about that.

[Downwinder]

9. I don't fault newspapers for charging,

but search engines should indicate that there is a paywall.

[PeaceNikki]

10. The Milwaukee Rag - Journal Sentinel - who's only redeeming quality is John Gurda

http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/an-autocratic-king-scott-damaged-state-vm5j9m0-156490065.html

[Logical]

11. LOL, shame? Trying to make a profit? Buy the damn paper version and they will keep it free. n-t

[Nye Bevan]

12. This is OUTRAGEOUS. How dare these people not work for free. (nt)

[Honeycombe8]

13. The NYT does that. Don't they all? They have to make money.

They have salaries and benefits and other overhead to pay for. Seems reasonable to me. I don't pay, but it seems reasonable.