Unbound Edition - FREE Speech

Sadly, newspaper readership—holding in your two hands a physical paper copy of the daily news—has been on the decline for years. Call me nostalgic, but there is something about opening up and holding the wide, flimsy pages that makes the news more real to me.

Reality, however, is no longer on paper. Most people today get their news from TV, or even more frequently, online. Since its inception, online news was the fastest, and—more importantly—the freest of all news media outlets.

However, the New York Times has been, rightfully so, one of the only newspapers able to charge a monthly or yearly membership fee of $7.95 or $49.95 respectively for their product and still maintain a loyal readership. Today, however, NYT announced the entire website will be free to readers at midnight tonight (September 18).

Even though I love my morning coffee and a hard copy of the Times at my kitchen table, I see tremendous value in unlimited news distribution to all. As long as Americans continue to read the news, no matter through what means, America, society, democracy, Scrabble tournaments, etc. are in better shape. People love the word FREE no matter what it is. As long as the information is available without cost, readers will come. I say three cheers for the Times for coming around (but six cheers to those who still shell out for their daily hard copy delivery service).

finally
written by bryanstl, September 18, 2007 04:53 PM

Very happy about this

Second that
written by Michele, September 18, 2007 04:57 PM

Me too!

From this Feed article http://mashable.com/2007/09/18/wsj-free/, looks like the WSJ might soon be free as well.

Lauren, do you subscribe?
written by E.R., September 18, 2007 10:03 PM

Out of curiosity, do you subscribe to the Times?

E.

One wonders, doesn't one?
written by Fruit du Bois, September 19, 2007 08:58 AM

I'm wondering what the impact will be on other subscription-only online news sources. I mean, it's been a rough transition for all print news sources to the internet (as you note that the New York Times has been one of the only sources to maintain a loyal readership). I'm imagining that this switch to free NYT will cause a drop in loyalty to other news sources, which could mean the end of these publications.

yes
written by Lauren, September 19, 2007 02:13 PM

I do receive a daily paper subscription.

Will you pay more?
written by E.R., September 20, 2007 11:07 AM

Lauren,

I wonder if the price of your subscription will go up or down (or stay the same) as the free model works its way through NYT.

Will there eventually be an argument for the elimination of print newspaper? And if so, what happens to the millions of people who don't access a computer on a daily basis? Does America decide to pursue a digital path towards information-based segregation?

E.

I must admit....
written by Margarita, September 20, 2007 10:40 PM

I get the majority of my news on the internet, but look forward to getting a hard copy of the paper on mornings when I actually GET THE CHANCE to relax and read the paper. Most of the time, I catch the news in bits as I get ready for work and then skim the headlines online. Its sad, because I am a news junky. I would hate to see newspapers do away with hard copies. However, for reasons listed above, I think it is fabulous that the NYT has decided to offer online news for free!

agreed
written by Lauren, September 21, 2007 11:09 AM

I too read the online version of several news sources. As Margarita noted, there is something about coffee and the newspaper that is a slower-paced wonder of my morning routine. I think we are a few years away from any serious talk of doing away with traditional print all together (let's hope). I think there are enough people who appreciate the hard copy and look to the online version as a compliment, not a replacement.

looks like you're onto something here lauren
written by bp, September 24, 2007 03:20 PM

http://www.unboundedition.com/content/view/2530/49/