Here at the Reporter, we think we produce something worthwhile: a steady stream of reliable local news, sports, commentary and photography. Phone calls, emails and letters convince us that many readers have noticed. And an array of awards tells us that journalism peers have noticed, too.
Now, as you browse our website today, you may notice something else — an important change.
Once you read your first news article each month, you’ll get an invitation to buy an introductory digital subscription to www.mi-reporter.com. And when you click on your fifth story, a message will let you know you’ve used up your allotment of free stories for this month.
Starting today, we are asking customers who enjoy and depend on mi-reporter.com, to pay for the content, just as print customers have done since the 1950s.
The price is modest: Just 99 cents for your first month. After that, the regular price will be $39 per year. If you already subscribe to the print edition of The Mercer Island Reporter, your digital subscription is free. Our print subscription rate will remain the same.
This change is motivated by a couple of important ideas.
Our trained and talented news staff provides coverage that makes a difference to Islanders. We cover everything from what is happening with I-90 tolling to upcoming changes at our beloved library to plans to rebuild Island schools. We tell stories about the Island and its people. We provide useful information. We help bring people together.
Gathering, verifying and writing news takes time and money. And for more than fifty years, print customers have helped foot the bills. Since the launch of www.mi-reporter.com, online readers have not – despite getting more stories, more photos and more updates than print subscribers.
Digital subscriptions offer us the chance to forge a new kind of connection with our online readers. As you pay, as you renew and as – regrettably – a few of you cancel, we will learn what expectations the Reporter needs to meet. And that’s a good strategy for building a long-time relationship.
