The Original Sin Of News Content On The Internet

There’s no doubt journalism — particularly local journalism — is in crisis. But how does this knowledge help solve the problem vs. perpetuate it?

For proof one need look no further than this recent very comprehensive report published in the Columbia Journalism Review. Showing erosion in the industry accelerating in the wake of the pandemic. Including the complete shutdown of nearly 5 dozen news organizations since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic alone.

And the very real threat — actually, it’s way beyond a threat now — to local newsrooms poses real peril especially when competent coverage of local issues ranging from vaccines distribution to voting rights is more imperative than ever.

But is finding a way to reverse this exact trend, to attempt to right sinking ships, the best way to address the problem? Often, it’s discussed as the only way. And maybe it isn’t.

What I see most often identified as the key to turning the industry around particularly at the local and regional level is getting people to pay for online subscriptions to local news outlets. And somehow stop bristling at the idea of a paywall.