The future of newspapers will rely on new business models, whether it’s through a new advertising-supported model or changing newspapers into 501(c)3s.
I think more fundamental is whether we decide what newspapers are. Are they truly the Fourth Estate, providing a valuable function in a democratic society by watching over governmental bodies and politicians for the rest of us? Or are they fundamentally advertising businesses, brokering connections between sellers and buyers?
If it’s the latter, then we certainly have to give up on the current mode of operations in which newspapers care about readers too much, almost over advertisers, their primary financial supporter. If readers don’t like ads on the front page and section fronts, tough luck. Businesses like it.
True, one needs to provide some content that appeals to a large body of readers, but you can’t please everyone. The AJC learned that following its recent redesign. Readers complained loud and long about all sorts of things, but the idea is to keep advertisers happy first, then readers. That’s just the way it is. The Times (and the Journals and the Posts, etc.) they are a-changing. BTW, I still think the paid content model will slowly gain traction.
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Owner, News Design School