Their announcement may not have quite the same affect as a News Corp press release, but the decision by the regional publisher to set up 'paywalls' on local newspaper sites should be noted as an equally important landmark.
With advertising revenues falling fast it is perhaps the local newspapers who are literally fighting for their lives. And although at first glance the idea seemed somewhat optimistic, after careful consideration, perhaps they have more scope to trial such a project then the nationals.
I can't remember the last time I saw a local paper on the shelf with a headline such as 'Local gardener grows human sized carrot' and actually picked it up for purchase. But the ace up the sleeve of the locals is that they offer unique news. Unlike national news, which will be reported to death by anyone who is anyone, regional newspapers report stories that others would simply not touch. And that makes them useful.
Therefore, they already have a service of interest and one that people may well be willing to pay for.
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