Wayne Besen - Author, Activist, Columnist, Public Speaker

Monday, February 16, 2009

(Weekly Column)

In one of the most important articles of the year, Walter Isaacson wrote in Time Magazine about the shredding of the newspaper business. With free content available online, people are dropping daily subscriptions and newsstand sales are declining. The only way for newspapers to remain profitable is through advertising revenue in the print and online editions.

The problem with this business model, however, is that it leaves newsrooms beholden to advertising interests instead of readers. And, if the economy goes into a tailspin, precipitous drops in advertising can quickly lead to ruin. Isaacson says the way to save the news business is to move to a paradigm where newspapers go completely digital and readers pay directly for online content. For example, a web surfer who wants to read an individual story online can pay a nickel -- or pay a larger fee for a weekly e-subscription.

The main obstacle is creating technology that makes reading e-news as pleasurable as the newspaper experience. Within a few years, however, new technology will make this possible, with several products scheduled to hit the market.

If mainstream newspapers are having a difficult time, it should be no surprise that gay and lesbian publications are disappearing faster than a rabbit at a magic show. There is a long list of venerable GLBT publications that have recently vanished.

Earlier this month, Gay City News reported, "the investment fund that owns the Washington Blade, the Southern Voice, Genre magazine, and other gay publications has been forced into receivership by the federal Small Business Administration (SBA), which will sell the fund's assets and distribute the proceeds to investors."

When the technology reaches fruition, the GLBT media should embrace Isaacson's model. The gay community's top reporters do a superior job covering the news and offer in-depth analysis that can't be duplicated. I am willing to bet that people will pay for such content.

The question is, will the publications themselves actually survive or will the GLBT media become a collection of enterprising freelance reporters who sell by the story? While most items would not bring a large bounty -- there would likely be a couple of breaking stories that would pay the bills. For example, a blockbuster story with 250,000 downloads at a nickel per purchase would yield $12,500.

Of course, new technology would also have to make it more difficult to cut and paste more than one paragraph per story. And, much like cameras that take pictures of those that run red lights, an electronic surveillance system that imposed small penalties -- perhaps a dollar per infraction - would have to be developed. There would always be ways to get around the system. But, one would hope that enough people would have the decency to pay for good reporting to make it work.

GLBT bloggers should also welcome changes where they would actually get paid for their labor. It is disgraceful that some of our leading lights are posting during lunch breaks at their day jobs. Given their influence and size of their audiences, it is absurd that they have not reaped enough wealth to blog full-time.

Fans may balk, but they must realize they are also getting shortchanged. Imagine how much better most blogs would be if the writers had another 8-10 hours a day to conduct research? The products would be infinitely superior and be of greater value. Ultimately, the axiom, "you get what you pay for" rings true.

People must also realize that the status quo will soon lead to burnout among the best bloggers. Without a financial incentive commensurate with their work, don't be surprised when your favorite bloggers choose relationships over readership. If you don't pay, many will fade away -- which would be a great loss to the GLBT community.

In order for this business model to work, the leading bloggers, gossip sites and journalists will have to create a new type of union -- where they jump off the cliff all at once. There would also be an initial loss of readers, but who cares? The writer would still make more money by retaining a subset of paying readers. And, many of the dissenters would come back when they realized the true value of a product they once viewed as their birthright.

On a similar note, the continued improvement of E-book technology may save the GLBT publishing industry. On March 29, the legendary Oscar Wilde bookstore will close in Greenwich Village, citing economic trouble. This follows the demise of the famed bookstore Crossroads Market in Dallas.

With few venues to sell books and fewer publishers, it is a tough time for gay authors. While the major retailers have GLBT sections, rarely do these books receive prime shelf space. E-books may be a way to cut out the middleman, save on printing costs and let gay authors sell directly to the reading public. Best of all, no more hand cramps from book signings!

The article in Time Magazine showed that the very concept of a magazine was a relic beyond its time. In the end, the tumultuous changes forced by the recession may be what resuscitates and revolutionizes the GLBT publishing industry.

75 Comments:

I just found this article that supports the idea of newsprint becoming outsourced, and it also touches on its' possible effects. http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=Z64B2Z20QX18&preview=article&linkid=a01d1325-2ee6-4d48-8363-03910ec72062&pdaffid=ZVFwBG5jk4Kvl9OaBJc5%2bg%3d%3d

Best regards,
MediaMentions
posted by Media Mentions, at 2/17/2009 12:06 AM

Having been a minor hunting GLBT news before I was sure where I fit, I have a very negative knee-jerk reaction to the idea of the queer press becoming pay-only. More generally, I think information should be free and readily available, because knowledge is power and to restrict it only to those who can afford it sets a dangerous precedent.

There are other alternatives to consider here. Governments might reasonably provide the press with funding, for instance -- I know, we fear censorship, but we have a government capable of restricting access and advertisers pushing for sensationalized stories appealing to their target audience as it is, and in contrast the BBC et al. look pretty good.
posted by Phoenix, at 2/17/2009 12:38 AM

I agree with you Wayne and i read your opinion on this matter with interest. Now this is how i feel about your piece. If someone would like to copy and paste it verbatim then you should also be paid. Many bloggers basically steal the entire article from a reputable newspaper that spend a lot of money investigating before final print and they, too, should reap the benefits by receiving money from any blogger that uses their material. It is a two way street. As it stands, bloggers and others are essentially thieves of information that justify their behavior as the dissemination of newsworthy information. While this may be true, the information is not theirs to take for free piggy backing off the hard work of others who paid money into research. Giving ones readers any and all bits of info is not rationalization for burglary and/or robbery. The future is destined for laws protecting the origin of fiction and/or true storytelling. It is no different then Limewire or many other websites burning music on CDs for free.
posted by mail, at 2/17/2009 12:41 AM

I love the internet as much as anyone else, but I would hate to see paper media go the way of the dinosaur. I'd rather curl up with a real book, magazine or newspaper any day than a kindle or my laptop.
posted by gary, at 2/17/2009 10:34 AM

Yeah, let's infect all computers with *more* copy-protecting corporate malware. Let's measure how many letters of the alphabet we're allowed to cut-and-paste at the same time. And let's increase the surrvaillence of all computer activity to make sure that regular joes are feeding their corporations properly, not just with what they download, but with what they look at in their browser.

Wayne, Wayne, Wayne. I love you, but you're letting your worries run ahead of you. And growing evil horns as we speak. Isaacson's daughter is not wrong. Hilary Rosen was wrong. And you're wrong now.
posted by Alan, at 2/17/2009 10:48 AM

Call me old-fashioned, but I want a hard copy of a newspaper, magazine or book in my hand and I don't want to be confined to sitting in front of a computer screen everytime I want to find information or read the news while enjoying my morning coffee. I've no objection to online publishing but to banish the paper product altogether is just not practical or civilized. I recently received notification from PC Magazine that it will now only be available online. I've since cancelled my subscription.
posted by Robert, NYC., at 2/17/2009 12:49 PM

Ok Alan, and when someone infringes on your property without compensation don't be screaming injustice. Hey man it's just the infection of more of the copy of "protecting corporate malware" dude. Welcome to capitalism. The internet is not the wild west. There are few pioneers.
posted by mail, at 2/17/2009 12:54 PM

I think the gay media has been committing suicide for years, and it has little to do with the economy or the internet.

Across the country, LGBT publications routinely ignore local members of the community who seek press coverage for acts of anti-gay hate they've been subjected to. Instead, these publications give front page priority to porn movies & circuit parties.

Niki D'Andrea, an out lesbian reporter for the Phoenix New Times, publicly admits to not always verifying her sources.

Dan Renzi, editor of the South Florida Blade, has spoken out against gay marriage and urged LGBTs to not vote in the last
presidential election.

Unless the gay media stops these practices, it really won't matter if they adapt to the internet age or not.
posted by David Alex Nahmod, at 2/17/2009 3:48 PM

I read well over 1,000 news articles a day on line from more than 100 different news sources. There is no way I could afford to pay for each article or pay to subscribe to that many news sources.

You make the comment that sources should be reader driven rather than advertiser driven. Well... advertisers place ads because of large readerships, if your readers drop, why place ads. If it's available without subscription and you're providing quality content, readership increases, hence an increase in potential customers for advertisers.
posted by T-Zero, at 2/18/2009 1:55 AM

"Well... advertisers place ads because of large readerships." (T-Zero)

In troubled economic times this model is not sustainable. Major corporations - from the airlines to the banks to the luxury market - do not have the advertising budgets. Thus, there is a precipitous drop in revenue from advertising. This model can only survive in the best of times. We are now seeing the result of this model when times are tough. The verdict is in - it does not work.

You say that you rear "well over 1,000 news articles a day on line from more than 100 different news sources." I find this unlikely, considering there are only 1,440 minutes in a day. If this is true, I urge you take a nap, eat some lunch, catch a movie and go for a walk.

In reality, you are only looking at 100 articles. For such content, you should pay $5 per day. To do otherwise is to be a thief of peoples' intellectual property.
posted by Wayne Besen, at 2/18/2009 9:52 AM

I call bullshit. I don't believe that T-zero reads 1000 articles a day.
posted by Priya Lynn, at 2/18/2009 11:45 AM

This post has been removed by the author.
posted by Niki, at 2/18/2009 8:23 PM

"Intellectual property" is an invalid concept.

http://mises.org/journals/jls/15_2/15_2_1.pdf
posted by mdf1960, at 2/27/2009 8:11 PM

christian louboutin shoes
christian louboutin
louboutin shoes
christian louboutin sandals
christian louboutin pumps
christian louboutin boots
louboutin
posted by yukai, at 8/18/2009 11:35 PM

uggs sale
uggs outlet
ugg outlet
posted by uggs-outlet, at 12/30/2009 9:14 PM

Nike basketball shoes
Adidas basketball shoes
NBA basketball shoes
posted by uggs-outlet, at 12/30/2009 9:14 PM

runescape
runescape gold
runescape money
runescape gold
runescape money
runescape
runescape
runescape gold
runescape money
lotro gold
wow gold
wow gold
FFXI Gil
DFO gold
Dungeon Fighter gold
Dungeon Fighter powerleveling
Dungeon Fighter online gold
Dungeon Fighter online power leveling
DFO gold
Dungeon Fighter gold
aion gold
aion powerleveling
aion power leveling
posted by Liao, at 1/10/2010 10:27 PM

runescape gold

runescape money

buy runescape gold

cheap runescape gold

darkfall gold

red war gold

Dungeon Fighter gold

DFO gold

Dungeon Fighter online gold

Dungeon Fighter power leveling

dfo power leveling

buy darkfall gold

cheap darkfall gold

darkfall items

darkfall power leveling
posted by moon, at 1/11/2010 1:47 AM

UGG Bailey Button Boots
UGG boots Women's Liberty Boots
UGG Classic Argyle Knit Boots
UGG Classic Argyle Knit Boots
UGG Classic Boots
UGG Classic Cardy Boots
UGG Classic Crochet Boots
UGG Classic Short Boots
UGG Classic Tall Boots
UGG Classic Tall Patent Paisley Boots
UGG Classic Tall Stripe Cable Knit Boots
UGG Cozy Slippers
UUGG Fluff Flip Flops
UGG Gypsy Soft leather Sandals
UGG Halendi Sandals
UGG Infant Erin Toddlers Boots
UGG Kid's Classic Tall Boots
UGG Margot Wedge Sandals
posted by wangyajuan713, at 1/12/2010 4:06 AM

Nike all star shoes
NBA all star shoes
Adidas basketball shoes
NBA basketball shoes
Nike Basketball shoes
Nike Outlet
Adidas Outlet

LeBron James Shoes
Kobe Bryant Shoes
Allen Iverson Shoes
Kevin Garnett shoes

Paul Pierce Shoes
Penny Hardaway Shoes
Nike Flightposite

Nike Basketball shoes
Nike Outlet
LeBron James Shoes
posted by lianyunshuang, at 1/16/2010 2:50 AM

Chloe purse,
fendi purse,
Prada handbag,
designer watches,
rolex watches,
fashion jewelry,
posted by jane, at 1/19/2010 3:05 AM

You can get uggs boots sale,
uggs boots,and
ugg with high quality and low price!
We offer ugg outlet,
Cheap Ugg Boots!

Got bestghd straighteners,
cheap ghd straighteners,
ghd hair straighteners,
ghd straighteners uk,
pink ghd,
ghd purple and
cheap mbt shoes with cheap price!
posted by WeddingDresses, at 1/27/2010 2:29 AM

Shopping Articles Reviews
Cheap Samsung LCD TVs
Shopping Online
Free Download Games PC Online
Cheap LCD TVs
Social Bookmarks
Technology Computer
Download Games
cheap digital cameras usa
Free Download Games PC Online
best cheap eyeglasses
cheap lcd tvusa
Cheap Computer Parts
Games Flash
posted by tttt, at 2/13/2010 11:52 AM

Simple but not simple.Speed is fast,and the pair of shoes wears so beautifully.The color of the shoes is shining and it definitely will catch the attention of many people's eyes! I like it very much.christian louboutin shoes are so sexy and hot i love them so much and i even can not live without them!Overall, pretty good shoe.
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/13/christianlouboutinpump ,
discount christian louboutin
christian louboutin attract me always, last month I have bought a pair of pink velly for a marriage because my new dress colour was pink. these are the pencil heel velly but my pink velly don't have any guarantee. these are to much beautiful that everyone approciated to it.
very good colour, very good prices.when i first see the
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/15/manoloblahnikpump

i was deep attract by its red sole. how elegance the christian louboutin shoes ?why i don't like them? christian louboutin shoes are one of most popular designer shoes in the world.which has been a world renowned label in the fashion industry for many years. As the
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/12/christianlouboutinboots
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/13/christianlouboutinpump
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/14/christianlouboutinsandals

,stands for an opinion of fashion and luxury.
All in all, christian louboutin are my favourate shoes. As we know the have become more and more populars not only for the female stars but also for all of us .When you walk in the university campus you will find more girls are wear christian louboutin ,
http://www.louboutindiscounting.com/catalog/17/yvessaintlaurent
which make them look so fashion,vitality and unique.
,are the cosy fashion shoes.

All in all ,all of them are my love.
posted by zhangyue870807, at 2/22/2010 12:04 AM

Bodybuilding superstore
Vitamin superstore
Discounted vitamins
Discount vitamins
Muscle builders
Muscle builder supplements
Bodybuilding & sports nutrition
Bodybuilding supplements
Bodybuilding supplements that work
Amino acids for bodybuilding
Best amino acids for muscle growth
Best amino acids for weight lifting
Best protein for weight lifting
HGH for muscle growth
Burn fat faster
Diet aids and weight loss products
Vitamins on sale
Vitamin specials
Vitamins and minerals
Discounted supplements
Vitamin sale
Thousands of vitamins
Male sexual health
Female sexual health
posted by Erin, at 2/22/2010 9:09 PM

Hello, wonderful blog!thank you. By the way,here we offer a lot of good nike shoes,you can come to have

a look.
nike shox r5
nike air max 180
air yeezy sneakers
tn chaussures
nike tn
tn chaussures
nike air max
sneakers
shox oz
nike shox monster
bon marche shox r5
men's nike shoes
nike shox monster
nike store
nike shox r4
nike air max
achat nike shox
cheap nike shoes
tn chaussures
nike air max
enfant chaussures
nike tn requin
nike tn
nike shox cartoon
chaussures nike shox
acheter chaussures homme
tn chaussures
chaussures sport
discount enfant chaussures
posted by trustme, at 3/01/2010 3:43 AM

Last year the younger sneaker generation got a taste of 90’s nike air kicks excellence when Nike decided wholesale nike shoes to retro wholesale cheap nike kicks the Nike Air Max Griffey in a number of colourways. While baseball in the 21st century was ridden with steroid scandal nike kicks and payroll pandemonium, a primary focus during 90s baseball was the best outfield talent the big leagues had seen in decades. Ken Griffey Jr’s signature line with Nike was a huge success despite poor marketability of baseball shoes, and last year’s retro Griffey renaissance was no surprise.
posted by metin2gogo, at 3/04/2010 4:26 AM

While the Jordan II is often regarded as the red-headed stepchild of Js, there’s no denying the lux appeal of this latest retro. SNS agrees. “nike air jordan shoes nike 977 shoes upcoming news jordan shoes nike boots affordable nike air force 1 authentic ugg boots wholesale gucci shoes wholesale hoodys inexpensive cheap gucci bags air max 360 luois vuitton bag air jordan spike nike air forceI wish the feeling of the leather could come across better in pictures. These extra buttery Air Jordan 2 are made in the smoothest Italian leather you can find, and just because they can air jordan spike Air jordan XXIII Air jordan 6 rings
posted by metin2gogo, at 3/04/2010 4:27 AM

replica Rolex Explorer
replica Rolex GMT
replica Rolex Masterpiece
replica Rolex Milgauss
replica Rolex Prince
replica Rolex Sea Dweller
replica Rolex Submariner
replica Rolex Yachtmaster
rolex replica
A.Lange & Sohne replica
Bell & Ross replica
Breguet replica
posted by 琴, at 3/05/2010 3:52 AM

Oceania aims at finding the best and most economical Nike Air Max/Nike Air Riftfrom the unlimited online resources for the sports shoes fans and the public.
posted by oceania321, at 3/10/2010 4:59 AM

The best software online shop: http://www.softwares-supplier.com/
ms office 2007,only $110!
Windows 7 only $139! No Tax and Free Shipping!
Office 2007 Pro
Office 2007 Ultimate
ms office 2007 pro
ms office 2007 Ultimate
Windows 7 Pro
Windows 7 Ultimate
office pro 2007
office ultimate 2007
Acrobat 9.0
Adobe Acrobat 9.0
Adobe Acrobat 9.0 extended
Flash CS4
Illustrator CS4
Photoshop cs4
Master cs3
Dreamweaver cs3
windows vista ultimate
Windows Vista Business
posted by jack, at 3/23/2010 2:49 AM

In the game, mixmaster gp is necessary. But how can we get the mix master gp, it is wisdom to realize, if you have enough money, using them to mixmaster online gold, call on your game players, buy the mixmaster online gp from them, and do some task to make mixmaster gold.
posted by bocheng, at 3/24/2010 11:20 PM

christian louboutin
MBT Shoes
Christian Louboutin sale
ed hardy shirts
ed hardy jeans
Air Jordan Shoes
Nike Jordan Shoes
nike air kicks
air jordan
Nike Kicks
Retail Nike
nike dunks high
posted by metin2gogo, at 3/24/2010 11:33 PM

cheap replica watches
watches replica
replica watch
replica watches
cheap fake watches
Rolex Air-King replica
U-boat watches
replica Breitling
Rolex Explorer watches
replica Graham

posted by 慧慧, at 3/29/2010 8:31 PM

watches for sale cheap replica watches watches replica replica watches Explorer watches replica replica Explorer watches replica Explorer Explorer replica cheap Explorer watches Explorer watches
posted by lljj, at 4/01/2010 11:25 PM

cheap replica watches watches for sale watches replica replica watches Alain Silberstein watches replica Alain Silberstein cheap Alain Silberstein watches Alain Silberstein replica Alain Silberstein watches for sale
posted by lljj, at 4/05/2010 8:44 PM

watches replica cheap replica watches replica watches replica watch Bell & Ross replica replica Bell & Ross Bell & Ross watches
posted by 琪, at 4/06/2010 3:54 AM

cheap replica watches watches for sale watches replica replica watch Franck Muller watches for sale Franck Muller watches Franck Muller watches replica Franck Muller replica cheap Franck Muller watches replica Franck Muller
posted by 琪, at 4/09/2010 5:02 AM

We are also very love the jordan shoes for sale | air jordan shoes | micheal jordan shoes | ,
If you want to buy the cheap jordan shoes,you can search the internet.Jordan is the hero of every individual mind. Of course, we are also very like the
air jordans | jordan shoes | cheap jordan shoes |
So you will like the air jordans,you will found the shoes make you become more and more beautiful.
posted by xin, at 4/09/2010 9:29 PM

replica watches watches replica replica watch cheap replica watches cheap Datejust watches Datejust replica Datejust watches replica Datejust
posted by lljj, at 4/10/2010 3:29 AM

discount air max
nike air max plus
nike air max solas
nike free 5.0
cheap women nike airmax
discount air max 90
discount air max 95
nike air max uk
nike air max classic bw
cheap nike air max ltd
posted by gao, at 4/19/2010 11:52 PM

Generic Viagra
Cheap Generic Viagra
Generic Cialis
propecia
Generic Cialis
careprost
Lumigan
retina
posted by john, at 4/27/2010 7:07 AM

Nice Blog! It is very excellent! By the way, there are cheap nike shox shoes, nike air max shoes and nike sb shoes here. If you are interested, you know what to do.
posted by lovenike, at 4/28/2010 3:03 AM

Wonder King is a very interesting. The more wonder king zed you can get, the more stronger you are. At the same time, you can get the wonder king gold, then, some players will buy the wk zed from the game, you should sell it as a high price, wk gold is access to your pocket, why not get more gold, you only need to do is to buy wonder king zed.
posted by bocheng, at 5/05/2010 8:43 PM