Act of goodwill or a blatant attempt to capitalize on a national tragedy?
You make the call:
The Kansas City Star has begun opening it’s “online paywall” for stories pertaining to the coronavirus outbreak.
It appeared to start with the cancellation of the Big 12 and NCAA basketball tournaments.
I mean, who doesn’t stand to benefit in these bizarre times by more fully understanding the whys and wherefores of the collapsed of college hoops?
No biggie – it’s understandable even – that the beleaguered local newspaper of record would try and recoup some online subscription monies for its sports department. And, you know, maybe sell a few $30 a year online sports subscriptions.
Certainly it’s a noble gesture giving locals a free peek at coronavirus news they can use.
That said, is it in good taste for the Star to pat itself on the back for taking the high road on the worst threat to this country since the Spanish Flu pandemic off 1918, by using the occasion to hawk online subscriptions?
Doubtful.
Then again, newspaper times couldn’t get much tougher, so any port in a storm.
So here go, we interrupt this column to bring you a public service announcement from the good folks at McClatchy and the Star:
“The McClatchy Washington Bureau and McClatchy news sites have lifted the paywall on this developing story, providing critical information to readers. To support vital reporting such as this, please consider a digital subscription.”
Enjoy.
