@networkn I have no idea what NZH are asking for as I don't go near that horror show

MikeB4:

Stuff the news company seeking public donations. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/121119788/stuff-supporter-programme-your-contribution-helps-power-local-journalism

I may be missing something but Stuff is a for profit business owned by a multi-national with a balance sheet asset worth of $4.6Billion and last reported net profit in excess of $240Million

networkn:

 

Why is this any different from the "contribution" NZ Herald asks for?

 

Stuff's model is similar to the approach that the Guardian in the UK has taken. They make all the content available whilst asking readers who are willing to support them. I actually find this to be infinitely more preferable to the Herald's clickbaiting approach of deliberately burying COVID-19 related articles behind their paywall and trying to bait for subscriptions with sensationalist headlines. Trying to profit directly from this crisis is reprehensible IMO.

Contrast this with those responsible media outlets that are making their COVID-19 coverage freely available (e.g. NYTimes and Washington Post), the Herald looks just shockingly bad in comparison.

dejadeadnz:

 

Contrast this with those responsible media outlets that are making their COVID-19 coverage freely available (e.g. NYTimes and Washington Post), the Herald looks just shockingly bad in comparison.

 

I agree. I recently relented and paid for NZH for 12 weeks on a promo, but it's choice to not make all Covid 19 content left a very bad taste in my mouth.

I don't really want to support stuff as I think the level of their journalism is pretty low in general, but I think their stance of allowing all content and then asking for donations seems less offensive to me somehow.

networkn:

 

I don't really want to support stuff as I think the level of their journalism is pretty low in general, but I think their stance of allowing all content and then asking for donations seems less offensive to me somehow.

 

I think that Stuff is now the much better of the two, especially since the Herald started aggressively pushing their subscriptions. Yes, they can make a lot of shocking mistakes but there's actually still some serious investigative content and longer form articles on Stuff. I can't remember anything from the Herald that isn't the usual standard length piece. Most unbearably of all, the Herald has gone full NewsTalk ZB with their opinion pieces -- the total absence of thought diversity in their opinion pages is unbearable. If I want to read stuff befitting Fox News, I'll go there and then gouge my eyes out.

dejadeadnz:

 

networkn:

 

I don't really want to support stuff as I think the level of their journalism is pretty low in general, but I think their stance of allowing all content and then asking for donations seems less offensive to me somehow.

 

 

I think that Stuff is now the much better of the two, especially since the Herald started aggressively pushing their subscriptions. Yes, they can make a lot of shocking mistakes but there's actually still some serious investigative content and longer form articles on Stuff. I can't remember anything from the Herald that isn't the usual standard length piece. Most unbearably of all, the Herald has gone full NewsTalk ZB with their opinion pieces -- the total absence of thought diversity in their opinion pages is unbearable. If I want to read stuff befitting Fox News, I'll go there and then gouge my eyes out.

 

 

 

I was thinking the other day, that I feel NZH has got mostly worse since it went Paywall. The opposite of what was promised. I subscribed for access to sports writers and a few other bits and pieces.

MikeB4: I am not opposed to news outlets charging a cover charge on their digital editions just as they do on printed editions. However I object to them proposing this as a donation to support their journalist as if the public was supporting altruistic endeavours. They need to be honest and state they are charging a cover charge to support profitability.

But they aren't. They are asking people to support their unrestricted access to the site by donating what they feel it's worth ala the Guardian in the UK and other news outlets. IE no Paywall. 

I guess, similar to those restaurants who don't charge a set fee but ask you to contribute what you can, or feel the meal is worth.

MikeB4: I am not opposed to news outlets charging a cover charge on their digital editions just as they do on printed editions. However I object to them proposing this as a donation to support their journalist as if the public was supporting altruistic endeavours. They need to be honest and state they are charging a cover charge to support profitability.

The difficulty I have with "supporting" is that I struggle to convince myself they are worth the money.

Both NZherald and Stuff are not impartial enough for me to support them.

They have a political undercurrent which I find distasteful.

(I do put my money where my mouth is with subscriptions to overseas newspapers, my local newspaper and press patreon)

networkn:

 

MikeB4: I am not opposed to news outlets charging a cover charge on their digital editions just as they do on printed editions. However I object to them proposing this as a donation to support their journalist as if the public was supporting altruistic endeavours. They need to be honest and state they are charging a cover charge to support profitability.

 

But they aren't. They are asking people to support their unrestricted access to the site by donating what they feel it's worth ala the Guardian in the UK and other news outlets. IE no Paywall. 

 

I guess, similar to those restaurants who don't charge a set fee but ask you to contribute what you can, or feel the meal is worth.

 

 

 

I am sorry but get real. Stuff / 9 Entertainment owner of most of the major newspapers is a multination news and entertainment company the purpose of which is to create a profit and return on investment for the shareholders. Yes the provide a product for public consumption they are not PBS type of network. Their revenue is driven by advertising revenue and syndication. It is disgraceful that they are doing self promotional articles and social media post requesting donations to support them.

I gather the supporters would also approve the Warehouse asking for donations. What about General Motors asking for donations so they can continue to create and sell Holdens.

At a time when Foodbanks, Womens Refuges and just about all other charities are struggling to cope and multi national asking for donations is a disgrace.

MikeB4:

 

I am sorry but get real. Stuff / 9 Entertainment owner of most of the major newspapers is a multination news and entertainment company the purpose of which is to create a profit and return on investment for the shareholders. Yes the provide a product for public consumption they are not PBS type of network. Their revenue is driven by advertising revenue and syndication. It is disgraceful that they are doing self promotional articles and social media post requesting donations to support them.

 

I gather the supporters would also approve the Warehouse asking for donations. What about General Motors asking for donations so they can continue to create and sell Holdens.

 

At a time when Foodbanks, Womens Refuges and just about all other charities are struggling to cope and multi national asking for donations is a disgrace.

 

They are asking for support from their readers so they can avoid making large numbers of journalists redundant. It's not a unique situation to them, the whole media industry is screwed by this pandemic.

How is that outrageous?

Handle9:

 

They are asking for support from their readers so they can avoid making large numbers of journalists redundant. It's not a unique situation to them, the whole media industry is screwed by this pandemic.

 

How is that outrageous?

 

Then go to the Government like many other businesses have.

MikeB4:

 

Handle9:

 

They are asking for support from their readers so they can avoid making large numbers of journalists redundant. It's not a unique situation to them, the whole media industry is screwed by this pandemic.

 

How is that outrageous?

 

 

Then go to the Government like many other businesses have.

 

They have. 

Handle9:

 

 

 

They have. 

 

And they don't mention in their social media posts and Stuff "article" asking for donations that they have received over $6million to date in government assistance