If you’re providing a good service you should charge for it. But it’s no crime to ask for donations.
The town of Meeker in Colorado’s Rio Blanco County has a local news source called The Rio Blanco Herald Times. Like many local papers, it was struggling, so the owners sent out an “email cry for help” to keep the 138-year-old newspaper from going under. I heard about this in an email from Bo Sacks.
The residents replied favorably and the paper was saved.
“If a town loses its paper, it’s less of a town.” That quote is attributed to Al Cross from the University of Kentucky.
If a local newspaper is a good thing for a town, that raises some interesting question. In other cases, the government funds public goods – like roads and libraries. Why not newspapers?
The media is supposed to serve as an independent voice, and a check on government. They can’t do that when they’re getting money from the government.
While government-funded media is a horrible idea, there’s still the question of “public” funding. Not government funding, just citizens stepping up.
That’s how the Boy Scouts and the local house of worship get along, and they’re also public goods. But we don’t generally believe these things should be supported by taxes.
Some publishing companies have chosen to ask for donations. I’ve seen campaigns to “Support local journalism,” and some sites simply hold out the hand and ask for some money.
I’m not sure this is appropriate for all media companies, but if citizens believe in the mission and usefulness of a media brand, why shouldn’t they pony up a little extra to keep it in business?
There are networks of podcasts that do this. The podcasts are free for everybody, but they ask for donations from people who believe in what they’re doing.
The Guardian asks people to fund independent journalism. So does ProPublica. And The Intercept has something along those lines.
There comes a time when it’s appropriate to hold out your hand and ask for a contribution. It’s a little humbling, but … that’s okay.
So as you consider revenue models for your media company, don’t forget to consider donations.
Links
An email cry for help saves this 138-year-old newspaper from extinction
