Vox Solicits Reader Contributions to Keep Its Content Free Amid Ad Declines

The near-simultaneous rush among publishers with subscription businesses to loosen their paywalls and provide free access to reporting on the COVID-19 pandemic has reignited long-standing debates about whether the news should fundamentally be free, even as ad-supported journalism (with some exceptions) becomes an increasingly difficult proposition. This week, rather than erecting a paywall, Vox says it's looking to make up for declines in its advertising business by soliciting contributions from those readers who can afford it, in order to preserve free access to its journalism for those who can't. "Our dedicated team of journalists has boundless ambitions—and feels a great sense of responsibility—to bring you more of our distinctive coverage, in new and different ways, and to continue doing so for free," wrote editor-in-chief Lauren Williams and executive editor Allison Rockey in a note to readers Wednesday afternoon. "But even with record audience growth, the media business is not immune to the effects of economic downturns. In fact, right now, when audiences need quality, accessible journalism the most, ad revenue is on the decline as companies move to save money and shrink their marketing budgets." While not a tax-deductible charitable donation, Vox says recurring or one-off contributions, ranging from $7 to $250, will help support its science explainers, its coverage of the challenges being faced by the U.S. health care system and its YouTube and Facebook videos... Continue reading at 'Folio Magazine'

[ Folio Magazine | 2020-04-10 16:17:19 UTC ]
News tagged with: #caption id= #subscription model #apple news+ #york magazine #media industry

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The outrage and sadness of Google Reader's demise

Pope Who? White smoke over the Vatican doesn't stand a chance as a trending topic next to the black cloud over one of Google's most beloved products. Google Reader has landed on the company's sunset list, and will wink out of existence on July 1. Problem is, Reader is not as widely beloved as... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2013-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Caffeine Nights launches free sampling app

Independent publisher Caffeine Nights is making two chapters of every one of its books free to... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-03-15 00:00:00 UTC ]
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E-books added to inflation basket

E-books have been added to the basket of goods used to calculate the UK's rate of inflation, but Freeview set-top boxes are out. Continue reading at BBC News

[ BBC News | 2013-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #e-books added


E-books added to ONS 'basket of goods'

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) has added ebooks to the basket of goods and services... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-03-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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New UK Ebook Platform to Allow Readers to Share Titles via Facebook

In the UK a new ebook platform Boosh will allow readers to share an ebook with a fellow Facebook user to read for free after its read and deleted from their own account. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-03-07 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why is Amazon Trying to Squash Availability of Free Ebooks?

Amazon's decision not to pay commission to affiliate sites linking to free Kindle ebooks likely signals a shift in strategy, and has affiliates up in arms. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-02-28 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Carol Brown Janeway Honored for Contributions to German Literature

For her work translating and publishing a distinguished list of German-language authors in the USA, Knopf executive Carol Brown Janeway has received the 2013 Friedrich Ulfers Prize. Continue reading at Publishing Perspectives

[ Publishing Perspectives | 2013-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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T Magazine Gets Heat From Readers On Lack of Diversity

After reader pushback, The New York Times’ magazine is looking to include more ethnicities, and the larger media landscape should, too. Continue reading at Folio Magazine

[ Folio Magazine | 2013-02-22 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Facebook Eying Movies, Books, TV as Next Dominant Social Content

Outside of photos and status updates, Facebook's original shareable content was game activity. So-and-so just planted a new crop, etc. Next Facebook rolled out the Like button, and news articles became popular. Then Facebook debuted its Open Graph in fall 2011 so that someone could listen to a... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-02-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Hearst president David Carey: Apple taught people 'how to buy digital content'

David Carey, president of Hearst Magazines, sat down with AllThingsD's Peter Kafka to kick off Day 2 of D:Dive Into Media here in Dana Point, California, with the interview centering on Carey's take on how digital magazines are working out in a world that seems less and less intrigued by... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2013-02-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Blonde 'Anne of Green Gables'? A new cover displeases loyal readers

A new book cover for the classic novel 'Anne of Green Gables,' showing Anne as a blonde without freckles lounging in a plaid shirt, has Amazon users up in arms. Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2013-02-08 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Publishers need to directly monetise content to sustain editorial

Just as the TV industry has developed to directly monetise content through interactive services, product placement and sponsored programmes, online publishers need to explore innovations that use more than just the space around the content, says Vibrant Media's Fiona Salmon. Continue reading at Media Week

[ Media Week | 2013-02-06 00:00:00 UTC ]
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The Painful Decline of Barnes & Noble

America's last major book store chain is shuttering locations as it tries to evolve for a digital future. Is this simply a tough transition, or the beginning of the end? Continue reading at The Atlantic

[ The Atlantic | 2013-02-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Readers 'flock to beautiful books'

The extra focus publishers have started to put on producing beautiful hardbacks has borne fruit,... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-02-01 00:00:00 UTC ]
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UK kids' mag slated for adult games content

A British magazine distributed by a joint venture of Conde Nast and Hearst Corporation and aimed at primary school children has been featuring images of adult-rated video games. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2013-01-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Readers sue Armstrong and US publishers

Two US book buyers are suing cyclist Lance Armstrong and his publishers Random House US and... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2013-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Beyond Native: Bringing Video Ads In-House

The Verge has started offering advertisers like Ford pre-roll video ads. But in this case, Ford doesn't need its agency, as The Verge produced these Web video spots, using its own technology and editorial staff. Indeed, the tech-centric publication is looking to take native advertising to... Continue reading at AdWeek

[ AdWeek | 2013-01-24 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Interview - HuffPo CEO Jimmy Maymann: 'We Don't See Traditional Online Ads as the Future'

In the face of stagnant growth in traditional advertising, digital publishers are looking to sponsored content as an alternative route, something Buzzfeed has been doing well, and The Atlantic has been doing less well recently. It's an approach ... Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-01-23 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Amazon quietly introduces Kindle rentals for US readers, bases prices on duration

Think you can finish a 168-page novel in a month? It might pay to opt for Amazon's new Kindle rental feature, now available on an incredibly limited number of titles. A few options published by Princeton University Press appear to represent the site's introductory offering. The 5 Elements of... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2013-01-19 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Advance Buys Digital Ad Agency Pop

Newspaper and magazine publishing company Advance Publications Inc. has acquired Seattle-based digital advertising agency Pop, the companies announced this week. Pop will operate as an independent division of Advance Publications. Continue reading at Editor & Publisher

[ Editor & Publisher | 2013-01-18 00:00:00 UTC ]
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