While their appetite for information is high, a historic low percentage of Americans are paying for news as they turn ever increasingly to digital providers of free media.
The latest Pew Research Center survey found that just 1-in-10 have coughed up a cent for any kind of news in the last year.
“When it comes to their own financial support of the industry, just 14 percent of American adults say they have paid for local news in the past year, either through subscription, donation or membership,” said Pew, adding that they are under the mistaken view that much of the industry is financially healthy.
And the media may have itself to blame. When asked why people aren’t paying for news, they cited the abundance of free sources.
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“When those who don’t pay were asked why, the widespread availability of free content tops the list (49 percent). Only 10 percent, on the other hand, said concerns about quality of coverage was the top reason for not paying,” said Pew.
The shift to free media also comes at a time when there is more digital content available.
In fact, Pew found that digital and TV news are nearly tied in use for the first time ever, just the latest sign that printed newspapers are on their deathbed.
“The digital era is making its mark on local news. Nearly as many Americans today say they prefer to get their local news online as say they prefer to do so through the television set,” said Pew’s survey of 34,897 U.S. adults.
“The 41 percent of Americans who say they prefer getting their local news via TV and the 37 percent who prefer it online far outpace those who prefer a printed newspaper or the radio (13 percent and 8 percent, respectively),” said the analysis.
