I had taken the statement as referring to scientific publications. There, the publisher isn't the one paying for the work. (Perhaps I don't view news as having

I had taken the statement as referring to scientific publications. There, the publisher isn't the one paying for the work. (Perhaps I don't view news as having something important to say) However, your point is interesting - sometimes you do have to charge in order to say things effectively. For example, you generally have to charge for a book to cover the cost of putting it together.