Don't Think Twice, It's All Right: Three Minnesota Dailies Build Pay Walls

By: E&P Staff Three dailies in Minnesota started charging for online content last week.
The Hibbing Daily Tribune and its sister papers the Mesabi Daily News and the Grand Rapids Herald Review now require online readers to pay for news access, a change that occurred on Sept. 22 and Sept. 23.

Those interested in reading the content of the dailies have two options: subscribe to the print edition with free online access or subscribe to the Web site only.

The Herald Review is charging $56 a year or $43 for six months for an online-only subscription. The Mesabi Daily News and the Hibbing Daily Tribune are offeringvarious online-only packages including 52 weeks for $65.

The papers are charging for access to Associated Press content as well.

Wanda Moeller, publisher of the Hibbing Daily Tribune told Northland's NewsCenter that charging for online content has always been in the cards as far back as 1995. "Where else are they going to get the best quality hometown news but in their local community newspaper? And if they choose not to, that's fine, but we hope they pick up the paper," Moeller told Northland.