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I could see this being really good for them if they can get content creators interested independent of their own subscription options. There are sites that I g

I could see this being really good for them if they can get content creators interested independent of their own subscription options. There are sites that I go to 2-4 times a month (e.g. the Guardian, Wired, The Atlantic) that I'd love to support, but I'm not motivated enough to subscribe to the more expensive ones at $70/year (Guardian), $52/year (Wired, $1/week for the website with adblocker and it's separate from their print+tablet subscriptions), etc. The Atlantic at $24/year is a much more palatable option. I sometimes feel bad about not being able to support them with ad revenues, but these days I regard even the better ad networks as unmarked minefields.

intrasight 10y ago
Exactly. I assume they are leaving a great deal of money on the table. But then again there are some smart people working in digital publishing, and presumably they have done the focus groups, etc. and found that readers aren't interested. But I also think if there was a secure, distributed payment infrastructure...
brilliantcode 10y ago
I like good investigative journalism and frustrated I can't pay to support it. For instance, WSJ endlessly sticks paywall for recycled news. Some journalists risk their lives for the sake of jouranlism. https://magazine.atavist.com/he-always-had-a-dark-side https://magazine.atavist.com/he-always-had-a-dark-side This was posted a while back on HN and we talked about how to support such journalists that take actual risks which needs to be rewarded.
- snthd 10y ago
  How about the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (Panama Papers)? https://donate.icij.org/ https://donate.icij.org/ or https://www.gofundme.com/icijorg2017 https://www.gofundme.com/icijorg2017
  - brilliantcode 10y ago
    The real problem with the panama papers incident is that it's not clear whether people on that list have done wrong or anything interesting. Clearly, it was a way to hide away ill gotten cash for some people but it also has legitimate usage. I disagree the way it attempts to paint anyone who's name shows up in the panama papers as a criminal. Lastly, I want to pay for journalism that weaves together a highly interesting and entertaining story. I think part of the talent is not just telling the facts but weaving a good story that invokes emotional response. Panama papers did not meet those criteria so it's not as interesting as that paul le roux story.
- dublinben 10y ago
  You can support amazing independent organizations like the Center for Investigative Reporting. They accept donations in any amount.
deleted 10y ago
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intrasight 10y ago

Exactly. I assume they are leaving a great deal of money on the table. But then again there are some smart people working in digital publishing, and presumably they have done the focus groups, etc. and found that readers aren't interested. But I also think if there was a secure, distributed payment infrastructure...

brilliantcode 10y ago

I like good investigative journalism and frustrated I can't pay to support it. For instance, WSJ endlessly sticks paywall for recycled news. Some journalists risk their lives for the sake of jouranlism. https://magazine.atavist.com/he-always-had-a-dark-side https://magazine.atavist.com/he-always-had-a-dark-side This was posted a while back on HN and we talked about how to support such journalists that take actual risks which needs to be rewarded.

snthd 10y ago
How about the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (Panama Papers)? https://donate.icij.org/ https://donate.icij.org/ or https://www.gofundme.com/icijorg2017 https://www.gofundme.com/icijorg2017
- brilliantcode 10y ago
  The real problem with the panama papers incident is that it's not clear whether people on that list have done wrong or anything interesting. Clearly, it was a way to hide away ill gotten cash for some people but it also has legitimate usage. I disagree the way it attempts to paint anyone who's name shows up in the panama papers as a criminal. Lastly, I want to pay for journalism that weaves together a highly interesting and entertaining story. I think part of the talent is not just telling the facts but weaving a good story that invokes emotional response. Panama papers did not meet those criteria so it's not as interesting as that paul le roux story.
dublinben 10y ago
You can support amazing independent organizations like the Center for Investigative Reporting. They accept donations in any amount.

deleted 10y ago

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