In some markets, electronic replicas may replace free news sites

A different version of this article appeared June 6, 2003, in the Online Journalism Review.  Here’s the version on the OJR site.

By J.D. Lasica

In the sprawling terrain of eastern Washington, the era of free local news on the Web is drawing to a close.

The Spokane Spokesman-Review, long known for its innovative new media operation, plans to launch a digital edition this summer in tandem with closing off large portions of its Web site to non-subscribers.

“Simply put, we’re tired of giving away today’s news for free,” says Shaun Higgins, the paper’s director of marketing. “We can’t afford free riders on our service. Otherwise, we’ll have to stop paying our staff.”

The Spokesman-Review is not alone: An increasing number of publications are launching digital editions — replicas of printed newspapers or magazines that readers can view on screen or read on newsprint in remote locations. More than 225 newspapers worldwide now offer them in some form.

For most publications, a digital reproduction offers a way to beef up circulation, reach new readers or retain print subscribers. Some readers prefer to pay for an electronic replica of the print paper rather than visit the publication’s free Web site. While fewer than 1 percent of online news readers get their news this way, the number is growing, and with it comes two upsides for the media company: These are subscribers who pay — and who count toward print circulation totals.

While most newspapers see digital editions as modest adjuncts to their Web operations, a handful are going a step further. They’re eyeing digital editions as a possible solution to the dilemma facing the vast majority of online news providers: the mindset of “if it’s on the Internet, it must be free.”

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