paywalls

Some news and media organizations implement a paywall on their digital platforms (e.g., websites) restricting users’ access to content unless they pay for a subscription service. Many news organizations — like The New York Times —implemented paywalls into their economic models in the mid-2010s, amidst facing economic challenges with reduced advertising revenues.

Although paywalls help news organizations make money, there are some drawbacks. For instance, paywalls sometimes frustrate readers or diminish news equity as some citizens are unable to access the content. Although many news organizations put breaking news and important updates outside the paywall (e.g., available to readers without payment), some important public service news remains inaccessible to low-income audiences.