This document discusses the challenges facing newspapers as readers increasingly get their news online rather than through print publications. It notes that newspapers have seen declines in revenue from classified ads and local business advertising as those have moved online. While online audiences for newspapers are much larger than print, online revenue makes up only about 10% of total advertising revenue currently. The document proposes that newspapers may be able to transition to more financial sustainability by charging modest fees for access to their online news content.

1. Save the NewspaperS A modest proposal by Stewart Jude

2. Times are tough for newspapers.

3. Tucson Citizen Rocky Mountain News Baltimore Examiner Kentucky Post Cincinnati Post King County Journal Union City Register-Tribune Halifax Daily News Albuquerque Tribune South Idaho Press San Juan Star Papers that have ‘died’since 2007

4. Challenges for Newspapers Newsprint costs have been up. Income is down. Classified ads have continued movingto the Internet. People are changing how they get news. Traditional local ad buyers, like car dealers, are spending much less.

6. the health of the economy

8. We’re seeing collapse.How do we get to transformation and renewal?

9. Internet use continues to rise.

10. Reasons News is Going Digital Readers’ habitsShort, sharp, accessed on the go Cost of productionOnline reaches more people for less cost SpeedWhich stories in print happened TODAY? CollaborationComments, interaction, communities MeasurabilityPrecise metrics on use

11. Newspapers must follow their audience,but online revenue isn’t keeping up. New York Times Audience and Revenue (2007) Online unique users (12 month average): 13,372,000 Print circulation – weekday: 1,120,420 Print circulation – Sunday: 1,627,062 Total advertising revenue: $483,594,000 Online advertising revenue: $51,000,000 Online is about 90%of audience,but about10% of advertising revenue.

12. The solution?Charge modest fees for access to online news.

13. The New York Times Leads the Way.

14. If we want reliable online news,we have to pay for reporters and editors. News, whether online or in print, has value!