The gap between nonprofit and for-profit local news will widen

"Most nonprofit local news organizations make their content free in the belief that it's important to serve all of the community, not just those who can afford a subscription. We also do it on the calculation that the visible commitment to news and information for the whole community can inspire greater voluntary giving from those who can afford it. Crucially, it's a way to avoid the problem identified by Nik Usher in their book News for the Rich, White and Blue."

"But the split in perspective even with well-intentioned for-profit publishers is stark. Most for-profit publishers impose paywalls of one kind or another. As a consequence, they are never considering reaching more than a fraction of the community. Too often, the people excluded from accessing the reporting are the ones that are most affected by decisions taken in city hall or the school board."

"I'm not referring to the biggest for-profit publishers - USA Today, Alden Capital, Chatham Asset Management - who all, to varying degrees are purely financially motivated and, as far as I can tell, don't give a damn about the journalism or serving communities (there are certainly wonderful journalists at many of these newsrooms, but they're terribly served by their owners)."

Local news organizations across nonprofit and for-profit sectors share concerns about industry struggles, the importance of journalism, sustainable business models, and threats to press freedom. Large corporate owners often prioritize financial returns over community service, undermining newsroom missions. Nonprofit publishers commonly provide free access to serve entire communities and to encourage voluntary support, aiming to reach vulnerable populations and avoid reinforcing inequalities identified by Nik Usher. For-profit publishers frequently use paywalls that restrict access to a fraction of residents, excluding those most affected by local government decisions. Cityside aims for 5% financial support and over 40% audience reach among adults.

Read at Nieman Lab