News consumers, often referred to as readers, were required to pay a nominal cover price for the newspaper either at the corner store or through a subscription for many years.
The remainder of the news organization’s costs were covered by advertising in the print edition.
Although the website was free to use since its launch in 1997, The Oregonian/OregonLive has started charging readers to view parts of our material since 2020.
We invited individuals to voluntarily subscribe to OregonLive throughout the outbreak. Naturally, all subscriptions are optional, but we intended for it to be completely optional because the stories were still free for everyone to read. In essence, it was a donation, much like funding Oregon Public Broadcasting or the Oregon Symphony.
Many people who were appreciative of our unbiased reporting amid the COVID-19 pandemic’s uncertainty signed up.
We introduced a premium subscription to the website later that year, which allowed users to access stories that were behind the paywall. These were referred to as subscription exclusives.
The conflict between free and paid is constant since our goal is to educate the public. Early on, we decided that everyone would continue to have free access to all necessary COVID and public alert news.
That still holds true now. Although users occasionally disagree with our definitions, we believe that public safety alerts and other important communications should be easily available.
Your story about warming shelters needing volunteers tonight is only available to subscribers online, according to a recent reader’s comment. Kindly think again.
The reader brought up a valid argument. Is the news as important as a tsunami warning? Not really, but do we wish to reach as many people as possible with the need? Indeed.
How about a detailed piece about a teenager who overdosed on fentanyl? Without a doubt, families should be aware of the risks. However, I am also aware of the amount of time and effort a reporter must invest in gathering information, speaking with sources, requesting public records, and other tasks. For this reason, we kindly encourage readers to support more thorough reporting.
It should come as no surprise to anyone that I believe an OregonLive subscription is an excellent value. I want to tell you why we need your help.
First, you are promoting independent, local media, which is a civic benefit.
Second, we can keep the majority of our news pieces free for everyone since we have thousands of paying subscribers. By doing this, you are helping readers who are unable to pay for a subscription.
Local journalism production is expensive. Our biggest expense is hiring journalists. I remind readers that our newspaper was never free when they inquire, as they sometimes do, why a certain piece is behind the paywall.
I sincerely inquire as to how they would have me compensate reporters if they press. Where do they think the funds will come from?
Even half of the expenses of operating a news organization of our size are now covered by advertising. This is because both readers and advertisements have moved to digital platforms. However, the ads there generate far less money.
It’s known as “trading print dollars for digital dimes” in the newspaper industry. Furthermore, that isn’t hyperbole.
However, there are other benefits to increasing our website’s traffic.
Many readers click to OregonLive because of its highly popular content. Because there is no salesperson engaged, programmatic advertising, which is offered to those readers, doesn’t cost publishers much.
These advertisements appear on OregonLive as a result of machines purchasing from machines: Advertisers submit requests to show their advertising to specific audiences, such as shoe shoppers. In essence, computerized auctions pair the appropriate advertisements with the appropriate audience. Advertisers can save money by using the technology to target their adverts.
We profit locally from those payments, even if they are mostly not from local marketers. Because it helps us too, I encourage anyone who don’t think they can afford a subscription to read us on OregonLive.
Our affiliate marketing program, which promotes sales and discounts to readers, also generates some revenue.
Although I don’t have any control over OregonLive’s pricing or sales promotions in my capacity as editor, I believe that subscribers get excellent value for their money. Let’s say their monthly payment is $10. Supporting local journalists and having complete access to our work costs roughly 34 cents each day.
It is difficult to come up with another everyday buy that is that affordable. Not cable, not coffee.
But there’s still more!Ten gift articles can be sent by subscribers each month (the link is valid for seven days). This implies that you can send nonsubscribers emails or post articles on your Facebook page.
Additionally, subscribers have access to OregonLive’s interactive puzzles. Additionally, restaurant writer Michael Russell’s newsletters, The Best Thing I Ate This Week, Week in Review, and What’s Coming, are available to paying members.
A day pass is less expensive than a complete subscription.
Considering all of this, I don’t believe there is a valid reason to withhold information when it is important. I was shocked—and, to be honest, horrified—to hear that a state inquiry into the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission did not fully capitalize on our in-depth coverage of the high-end bourbon debacle.
Although I couldn’t view news articles that required a subscription, an Oregon Department of Justice investigator said in one of the reports that he was tempted to read as many fresh stories as possible about the accusations made in the media reports.
Really?Subscribe, people—it’s a real communal investment.
Reach me at oregonian.com/attbottomly.
