Online newspapers: to pay or not to pay

In today’s earlier post I mentioned that The Sunday TImes will be charging users for online access, starting in June 2010. Depending, I assume, on readers’ reactions, other newspapers and magazine will follow suit.

How do you feel about paying for online access to your favourite paper? And how often would you prefer to pay? (Feel free to comment using the “other” field).

By Marian Dougan

Published by Marian Dougan

Marian is a translator and editor (specialising in web content) currently based in Glasgow, Scotland. Marian previously lived in Italy for over 20 years, working as a language teacher, translator and policy analyst with the British Embassy in Rome. A qualified member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting (ITI) and its Italian-language and ITI Scotnet networks, she is currently Scotnet's Convenor and Deputy Webmaster. From 2003 to 2006 Marian taught translation skills at the Italian Department of Glasgow University and now gives Master Classes as part of the new Masters in Translation Studies course. She also conducts web-writing and usability workshops to help people improve their websites and communicate more effectively with their readers, users and customers. In September 2014 Marian obtained User Experience Certification, with specialisation in Web Design, from the Nielsen Norman Group. She loves language, especially English, and is convinced that learning languages opens up people’s minds and horizons (and increases their brainpower!). To share her enthusiasm, she advises schools and educational authorities on language skills and enterprise. She gives talks to pupils on how to combine language studies with other subjects and so enhance their potential and increase their career options. Marian is an active member of organisations such as: Scottish Council Development and Industry (SCDI); Association of Scottish Businesswomen; Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Scotland. She also loves architecture, design, fashion (British Vogue!), cities and chocolate. She’s a great fan of Twitter and you can also find her on Linkedin.

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4 Comments

  1. I’m against paying for online newspapers, because they are a useful resource, even for language students. I know teachers who make students read them and/or translate them. Access to free online information should be a right. If I want a printed copy of a newspaper I could still buy it, but I prefer reading newspapers online instead of spending money for them.

  2. I think it’s inevitable that payment for online papers arrives. It’s a pity but it may just give a new lease of life to offline ones. A shudder went through me when I heard how much The Guardian is losing each day and that’s not sustainable. What do others think? Preference for online or ‘the real thing’? (Oops, I’m letting my preference show!)

    1. I too think it’s inevitable. But I think it’ll be important for the papers to make the payment process, when it comes, as painless and user-friendly as possible. I’ve signed up for the free trial period with the new Sunday Times site. It looks pretty impressive…but we still buy the “real thing”.

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