I have always loved to read a newspaper. No matter where I traveled, I would pick up the local newspaper to get a pulse on community and local government issues.
I read with interest the ARGUS LEADER's announcement from Publisher Randall Beck that the shift to their new subscription model is based on the principle - The high-quality content created by our exceptional journalists informs, inspires and entertains in ways nobody else can match. And our pledge, in this fast-paced world, is to deliver that powerful journalism seamlessly across multiple platforms — web, mobile, tablet and your choice of print frequency.
The backbone of this effort, months in the making, has been a rethinking of, and reinvestment in, our news coverage — not only the issues we cover, but when, how and where we cover them.
I guess the backbone of the effort to move towards this change of rethinking and reinventing in news coverage included the forced furloughs of the very reporters who write the news and are the backbone of any newspaper.
As I have said before, I understand the shift to charging for digital access. Newspapers across the country have to rethink and retool their business model. However, when I pay for digital access, I expect quality reporting and extensive news coverage. I subscribe to various news sources and enjoy the ability to get digital access on my iPad and iPhone on the go. But I subscribe with choice based on value on the news content of the subscription.
Publisher Beck goes on to say: Ours, however, is unique in the industry because it begins with the fact that our newsroom — representing the largest and best team of journalists in the state and region — produces the best local content that is delivered where, how and when you want it. Nobody else does that.
The very news Publisher Beck is talking about must be different and more compelling than what I can get from local television news, city's website, and other national news sources. Why not highlight the paper's political reporter, Jonathan Ellis or local government reporter Megan Luther. Sports Editor Stu Whitney's perspective on the local scene is not going to cut it for me. He's the best the paper has to offer in the new change?
Time will tell if the Argus Leader Media Publisher and President Beck and Executive Editor Maricarrol Kueter will make good on the promise to provide the valuable watchdog journalism and investigative reporting that you have come to expect.
I hope they provide the reading public a grace period to see if, in fact, they are capable of producing "valuable watchdog journalism" and "investigative reporting." Let's see if that 800 customer service number has received attention as well since it has been a past exercise in futility and frustration. I am not ready to plunk down my credit card just yet.
When I read this, I thought, "oh, the Argus is only allowing access to the On-line version to those of us to get the paper." This is how the Wall Street Journal is...you get the paper and it comes with on line access compementary. It doesn't cost extra if you already get the paper. Just gets rid of those who don't buy a paper, and go on-line for free.
ReplyDeleteI have had to use their 800 customer service number and you are lucky if you can get someone in their India call center can even speak English.
ReplyDeleteTheir customer service sucks so good luck with that.
What I don't understand is if I already have a subscription for the paper paper, do I have to pay an additional $24 a month to be allowed to read it on my i-phone? And I certainly hope they don't do away with my paper in the morning. How would I do my puzzles? How would I cut out articles and obituaries that I want to keep. Oh, yes, I'd have to print them on my printer at home and eat the cost of paper and ink in addition to the cost of my e-paper. I must be getting old, I just don't like change!
ReplyDeleteI gave up my print subscription several years ago (due to sloppy delivery and declining content); the content of the on-line version will need major beefing-up before I'll pay for it.
ReplyDeleteThe only way I'd pay for online content is if it didn't include anything by Stu Whitney. The guy's clueless and quite frankly a complete a**hat.
ReplyDeleteIt's happening all over the Country. Our local New paper, The Virginian Pilot announced last week downsizing of 30 positions. If you subscribe to VP you also have access to online material. Newspapers are in a tight place in to today's digital environment, I understand that. I lament the changes, I love to read a paper newspaper and resist the change to digital. Many of my friends no longer subscribe to the paper, this is the result - no customers, no newspaper.
ReplyDeleteThe Argus has been gutting its staff for the past 5 years, so claims that its content is desirable are dubious. Regular furloughs for all reporters have become SOP for the Argus. Hard to attain higher journalism than "New Quilt Shop Opens at Dawley Farms" when you have 5 reporters. Its claim that it is adding reporters to its newsroom are highly questionable, given the layoffs/furloughs and general gutting of resources in recent years.
ReplyDeletethe only reason they are doing the digital pay thing is that Gannett ordered it up. So the Argus leader's claims that "our journalism is so unique that you should pay for it" are like McDonald's telling Mitchell they will be the test-market restaurant for the new Big Mac and the manager of the Mitchell McDonald's then saying "We make a unique Big Mac you can't get anywhere else." it rings hollow.
ReplyDeleteLoudmouth Beck mentions that the Argus is the biggest and the best in South Dakota. That is like being the town drunk in Swett, South Dakota. Not much competition there either. In the national scene I would compare the Argus to the Minnesota Vikings and their record this year--not the worst but very near the bottom. The Vikings hope to change with draft picks. Can the Argus follow their example and find some GOOD people who will lift them from the basement.
ReplyDeleteArgus Leader new e-newspaper sucked. I pay 9 dollars monthly and it never show up on timely manner. I plan to stop their service for good. They are real bad service.
ReplyDelete