Crikey is reporting that New Matilda, which launched in August 2004, is to cease publishing on June 25.
Editor Marni Cordell sums up the website’s achievements, and discusses its financial plight, in an editorial published this morning:
The online media environment we’re leaving is vastly different to the one in which we started. Since we launched, several mainstream opinion and analysis sites have joined us, including The Drum, Unleashed, The Punch and the National Times. Although we hope that the newspaper presses keep on clattering for decades to come, it’s clear that the role of online media outlets will only grow in the future — whatever business model they follow.
This is very sad news, as NM did indeed provide an excellent counter-point to the mainstream media, publishing stories based on genuine research and analysis and featuring a range of writers on a range of topics rarely seen in print.
Cordell writes:
The big media players are struggling to find a workable online business model that allows them to pay their writers and maintain high standards — and so are we.
We’ve noticed that too at LP. When we began taking advertising, it brought in revenue probably sufficient to support one person in frugal comfort. Now it’s pretty much running costs and beer money.
Phil Gomes, an LP blogger, has this to say at his eponymous blog:
But there can be renewal after death. What I’d like to see is all contributors to New Matilda who don’t already blog turn their energies to that form so that we can build a genuine independent new media ecosystem – one that unfortunately died before it had a chance to fully develop.
The tools are now even more refined to connect that ecosystem. Unfortunately everyone will have to get a real job, but you can’t have everything and dying for your art is a noble gesture.
I think he’s right. The NM model, though indeed run on the smell of an oily rag compared to big media, in some senses mimicked the business model of a magazine: a physical office, five or more paid staff. It’s always going to be difficult to sustain that sort of cost structure. The cost of running a blog, by contrast, is minimal – mainly consisting of the somewhat incalculable and largely unremunerated energy, passion and time of its contributors and writers.
We’ve been publishing since March 2005.
In that time, the portion of the Australian blogosphere devoted to public affairs has shrunk, with a lot of the independent blogs hoovered up by Crikey, and others leaving as their lives and priorities change. Feminist blogs remain extremely lively, but there are fewer independent voices writing about Australian electoral politics.
I’d like to see that change.
Some of us have been tossing around some ideas for some time about how we could expand the established readership of LP, and the scope of its contributors and content, in order to fill a gap I believe still exists in commentary and analysis of Australian public affairs, a gap which has just got bigger.
That’s not to diminish the value of many of the contributors and contributions to some of the sites mentioned in this post. But I do think there’s a need for independent commentary and analysis from a site which does not see itself as a media organisation, and whose energy and verve derives as much from its commenters and readers as its writers.
That wouldn’t come for free, as I think that marketing is necessary, and I also think that people’s commitment of time and knowledge has to be recognised financially. But I don’t think it necessitates replicating a model with full time paid staff and a physical space they work in.
Watch this space.
In the meantime, we’d be delighted to talk to any NM contributors who might be looking for a new outlet for their writing.
Elsewhere: Andrew Bartlett:
There has been an increase in online sources of commentary and news in recent years. As their announcement on NewMatilda.com notes, this has included sites such as The Drum (funded by the ABC), Punch (funded by News Ltd) and The National Times (funded by Fairfax media). Whilst these new sites have provided new vehicles for commentary, I believe it is still very important to have independent operators in the media and online environment.
Crikey is still rolling along as the main independent web-based source of news and views, and Online Opinion continues to provide a wide range of articles and comment each day. There is also still a number of reasonable quality blogs around which focus on social and political commentary. None the less, the pending disappearance of New Matilda will certainly leave a hole in the fabric of independent social and political commentary, which is already much too threadbare.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Spike.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Qed.
Elsewhere: Andrew Bartlett.
Elsewhere: Andrew Bartlett.
hmm, interesting.
It is a pity. I think the synergistic model of a media-events company is the only way to make online publishing work. That is what I am trying with online media from two directions, events to media in one job and media to events in another.
hmm, interesting.
It is a pity. I think the synergistic model of a media-events company is the only way to make online publishing work. That is what I am trying with online media from two directions, events to media in one job and media to events in another.
Well, its all just a ringing endorsement of the need for govrnment funding of alternative media and arts. And yes, even Quadrant.
The marketised model will unfortunately just lead to a oligopoly of bland uninformative shit.
Well, its all just a ringing endorsement of the need for govrnment funding of alternative media and arts. And yes, even Quadrant.
The marketised model will unfortunately just lead to a oligopoly of bland uninformative shit.
Government funding is already helping alternative popular erotic art and anarchist revolutionary media here at the RAT institute. ( Its called ‘ Disability support’)
But darlings we would naturally appreciate larger bloc grants ( Blac Block grants!?) These would help us launch large scale rapid-evolutionary installation works similar to those previewed in the Ukraine in 1917-1920 and Spain 1936.
Libertarian socialism can’t save the welfare safety net without some quid quo pro.
Government funding is already helping alternative popular erotic art and anarchist revolutionary media here at the RAT institute. ( Its called ‘ Disability support’)
But darlings we would naturally appreciate larger bloc grants ( Blac Block grants!?) These would help us launch large scale rapid-evolutionary installation works similar to those previewed in the Ukraine in 1917-1920 and Spain 1936.
Libertarian socialism can’t save the welfare safety net without some quid quo pro.
Leave it to civil society.
Leave it to civil society.
Standby for columns in the MSM from the likes of Miranda Devine and Denis Shanahan crowing at “the failure of the Latte online media” and interpreting New Matilda’s closing as evidence there is no market for informed, progressive commentary.
The fact is, of course, that even the established media companies, with all their resources and the subsidy provided by their traditional distribution arms, are struggling to find a sustainable business model in online journalism.
Personally, I think New Matilda could have been marketed more aggressively and needed to maintain a subscription model, balanced with enough free content to keep the site sticky. When they went totally free, they signalled they didn’t value their content sufficiently. Then they went downmarket. Some of the attempts at humour in the last year fell particularly flat and were just not up to a professional standard.
Crikey works up to a point. But if you are going to have a paid model, it needs to be pitched at low-enough price point that won’t scare people away. My view is there is real scope for a subscription online news analysis service that features timely, well written, expert commentary on public issues. And when I say “experts”, I mean people who are recognised leaders in their fields. Many professional and business people would happily expense their subscription if it helped them in their work.
The appeal of such an online publication would be determined also by the quality of the editing and news selection. You need exclusive content, you need a level of utility and you need a design, format and navigation that makes it easy for people.
You also need a decent marketing budget, so that your website is just part of your brand offering.
That means you build events around some of your key writers, and publish occasional hard copy offerings. You can market yourself by offering the MSM commentary through talkshows etc, as Stephen Mayne did by cornering ABC radio in business commentary. That arguably did more to establish Crikey than anything else.
I think it can be made to pay its way, but you need a proper business plan, some seed money, an agressive marketing campaign and a vision beyond being “just a website”. Build it and they will come.
Standby for columns in the MSM from the likes of Miranda Devine and Denis Shanahan crowing at “the failure of the Latte online media” and interpreting New Matilda’s closing as evidence there is no market for informed, progressive commentary.
The fact is, of course, that even the established media companies, with all their resources and the subsidy provided by their traditional distribution arms, are struggling to find a sustainable business model in online journalism.
Personally, I think New Matilda could have been marketed more aggressively and needed to maintain a subscription model, balanced with enough free content to keep the site sticky. When they went totally free, they signalled they didn’t value their content sufficiently. Then they went downmarket. Some of the attempts at humour in the last year fell particularly flat and were just not up to a professional standard.
Crikey works up to a point. But if you are going to have a paid model, it needs to be pitched at low-enough price point that won’t scare people away. My view is there is real scope for a subscription online news analysis service that features timely, well written, expert commentary on public issues. And when I say “experts”, I mean people who are recognised leaders in their fields. Many professional and business people would happily expense their subscription if it helped them in their work.
The appeal of such an online publication would be determined also by the quality of the editing and news selection. You need exclusive content, you need a level of utility and you need a design, format and navigation that makes it easy for people.
You also need a decent marketing budget, so that your website is just part of your brand offering.
That means you build events around some of your key writers, and publish occasional hard copy offerings. You can market yourself by offering the MSM commentary through talkshows etc, as Stephen Mayne did by cornering ABC radio in business commentary. That arguably did more to establish Crikey than anything else.
I think it can be made to pay its way, but you need a proper business plan, some seed money, an agressive marketing campaign and a vision beyond being “just a website”. Build it and they will come.
I get (got) New Matilda in my in-box every day. It is (was), unfortunately, sophomoric bilge. I wouldn’t pay a cent for it, and by the end barely bothered to open it.
You can’t succeed in the media if your content is crap, unless you are heavily subsidised either by some other part of your owner’s organisation (see, the Australian), or the tax payer (see, the Drum) or your owner’s wallet (see, Nation Review). That’s true whether the content is transmitted on dead trees or by electrons.
I get (got) New Matilda in my in-box every day. It is (was), unfortunately, sophomoric bilge. I wouldn’t pay a cent for it, and by the end barely bothered to open it.
You can’t succeed in the media if your content is crap, unless you are heavily subsidised either by some other part of your owner’s organisation (see, the Australian), or the tax payer (see, the Drum) or your owner’s wallet (see, Nation Review). That’s true whether the content is transmitted on dead trees or by electrons.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Spike.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Spike.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Qed.
Elsewhere: [by Kim] Qed.
For what it’s worth, I found New Matilda valuable and entertaining, and hope its writers find alternative venues.
Sure, not everything in it was brilliant, but, hey, I know I’ve done some crappy LP posts too
For what it’s worth, I found New Matilda valuable and entertaining, and hope its writers find alternative venues.
Sure, not everything in it was brilliant, but, hey, I know I’ve done some crappy LP posts too
“Well, its all just a ringing endorsement of the need for govrnment funding of alternative media and arts.”
I’m sorry but I have absolutely no interest in funding sheltered workshops for wannabe people’s poets and pen pushing agitators. It really is up to these people to attract an audience and fund themselves and if necessary work full or part time in other jobs.
God forbid the pamphleteers of the late 19th century did their business on a shoestring and never expected to be paid for it. Today’s lefties seem to want a government grant just for getting out of bed in the morning.
“Well, its all just a ringing endorsement of the need for govrnment funding of alternative media and arts.”
I’m sorry but I have absolutely no interest in funding sheltered workshops for wannabe people’s poets and pen pushing agitators. It really is up to these people to attract an audience and fund themselves and if necessary work full or part time in other jobs.
God forbid the pamphleteers of the late 19th century did their business on a shoestring and never expected to be paid for it. Today’s lefties seem to want a government grant just for getting out of bed in the morning.
I’m surprised the journalism schools don’t operate current affairs blogs for their students to contribute local (city/state) news to, and perhaps the thinktanks (Australia Institute, Grattan Institute etc) could also host blogs.
I’m surprised the journalism schools don’t operate current affairs blogs for their students to contribute local (city/state) news to, and perhaps the thinktanks (Australia Institute, Grattan Institute etc) could also host blogs.
Speaking for myself – what Id really like to see is something more like Toohey’s old National Times. Something that did investigative journalism from a critical perspective. Available in dead tree (so I can read it over coffee) and online (so I can waste time at work).
I think Crikey’s ace – but its a different thing; more on the scuttlebutt side. NTTAWWT. Personally, Ive never been excited by the mag format of New Matilda or the Monthly. Gimme a feckin’ Australian newspaper that isnt run by low renters: even if its only once a week on Saturdays.
Speaking for myself – what Id really like to see is something more like Toohey’s old National Times. Something that did investigative journalism from a critical perspective. Available in dead tree (so I can read it over coffee) and online (so I can waste time at work).
I think Crikey’s ace – but its a different thing; more on the scuttlebutt side. NTTAWWT. Personally, Ive never been excited by the mag format of New Matilda or the Monthly. Gimme a feckin’ Australian newspaper that isnt run by low renters: even if its only once a week on Saturdays.
“I know I’ve done some crappy LP posts too”
Yes Robert, but you don’t seek to charge subscribers or advertisers.
“what Id really like to see is something more like Toohey’s old National Times”
It lost money hand over fist, which is why it folded.
Here is the inconvenient truth. If you want good content, you have to pay the talent that provides the content. And there’s other costs that come with publishing things. To cover your costs, you have to get people to pay. This is very difficult. People won’t pay for crap, because you can get alternative crap for free. Will they pay for high quality? Maybe, but high quality is very expensive to produce, and that might exceed what people are prepared to pay. Even Rupert Murdoch, who knows a thing or two about running media businesses, is struggling with this.
Blogs like this one are different. A few academics write a few paras in between marking essays, and the audience does the rest, just like talk back radio. But would anyone pay to read LP? No.
“I know I’ve done some crappy LP posts too”
Yes Robert, but you don’t seek to charge subscribers or advertisers.
“what Id really like to see is something more like Toohey’s old National Times”
It lost money hand over fist, which is why it folded.
Here is the inconvenient truth. If you want good content, you have to pay the talent that provides the content. And there’s other costs that come with publishing things. To cover your costs, you have to get people to pay. This is very difficult. People won’t pay for crap, because you can get alternative crap for free. Will they pay for high quality? Maybe, but high quality is very expensive to produce, and that might exceed what people are prepared to pay. Even Rupert Murdoch, who knows a thing or two about running media businesses, is struggling with this.
Blogs like this one are different. A few academics write a few paras in between marking essays, and the audience does the rest, just like talk back radio. But would anyone pay to read LP? No.
Sam, personally I don’t think it’s about paying geniuses top dollar, it’s giving competent people the time and other resources needed to do good work.
Pavlov’s Cat might disagree with me (in fact, I hope she does) but I’d prefer to read real experts on a topic aided by a bit of editorial guidance, than gun writers who don’t have a clue. Case in point, Malcolm Knox’s effort on nuclear power in The Monthly.
Sam, personally I don’t think it’s about paying geniuses top dollar, it’s giving competent people the time and other resources needed to do good work.
Pavlov’s Cat might disagree with me (in fact, I hope she does) but I’d prefer to read real experts on a topic aided by a bit of editorial guidance, than gun writers who don’t have a clue. Case in point, Malcolm Knox’s effort on nuclear power in The Monthly.
“I laughed at the Lorax, “You poor stupid guy!
You never can tell what some people will buy!”
“I repeat!” cried the Lorax, “I speak for the trees!”
“I’m busy,” I told him, “shut up, if you please.”"
“I laughed at the Lorax, “You poor stupid guy!
You never can tell what some people will buy!”
“I repeat!” cried the Lorax, “I speak for the trees!”
“I’m busy,” I told him, “shut up, if you please.”"
Sam Said:
That’s true but in the case of electrons, the bar is a lot lower. Speaking as someone who paid dues of 30% and more to an organisation that spent most of its funds supporting production of a newspaper that hardly anyone read …
Had the internet existed in those days, and the organisation had distributed its stuff as photocopied sheets with links to PDFs on the web, the dues could have been a lot lower.
Sam Said:
That’s true but in the case of electrons, the bar is a lot lower. Speaking as someone who paid dues of 30% and more to an organisation that spent most of its funds supporting production of a newspaper that hardly anyone read …
Had the internet existed in those days, and the organisation had distributed its stuff as photocopied sheets with links to PDFs on the web, the dues could have been a lot lower.
New Matilda’s writing on foreign affairs was woeful. Overall, it seemed very samey. There is a case to be made for a generalist publication but in this day and age, with so much specialism, balancing the broad topics with high quality is hard, and NM didn’t do it very well.
New Matilda’s writing on foreign affairs was woeful. Overall, it seemed very samey. There is a case to be made for a generalist publication but in this day and age, with so much specialism, balancing the broad topics with high quality is hard, and NM didn’t do it very well.
Just wondering, does anyone know how Green Left Weekly stays afloat? Did some rich comm die and leave them a bag of money? I’ve often wondered.
Just wondering, does anyone know how Green Left Weekly stays afloat? Did some rich comm die and leave them a bag of money? I’ve often wondered.
Sam, Green Left Weekly stays afloat because it solicits donations from readers and supporters (the print subscription actually runs at a loss), and through massive fundraising efforts year round (social dinners, film screenings, etc, run by volunteers).
So, no, it’s not afloat due to rich sugar daddies or millionaire inheritances, but good old fashioned hard work.
Witness:
Exhibit A: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44182
Exhibit B:http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/43968
Sam, Green Left Weekly stays afloat because it solicits donations from readers and supporters (the print subscription actually runs at a loss), and through massive fundraising efforts year round (social dinners, film screenings, etc, run by volunteers).
So, no, it’s not afloat due to rich sugar daddies or millionaire inheritances, but good old fashioned hard work.
Witness:
Exhibit A: http://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44182
Exhibit B:http://www.greenleft.org.au/events/43968
Typically, journals from the left are funded by membership dues, fund-raising etc. Occasionally, some member gets a windfall (perhaps an inheritance) and that too is “taxed”.
I have no specific information on how GLW gets its funds though.
Typically, journals from the left are funded by membership dues, fund-raising etc. Occasionally, some member gets a windfall (perhaps an inheritance) and that too is “taxed”.
I have no specific information on how GLW gets its funds though.
The next generation of media is social/community media, but it will take some time for Australian to understand that concept, media not only created by journalists but from anyone in the community, I rather hear what my neighbour thinks of some of the issues around my city than reading news.com.au for example.
I don’t even bother with Crikey, if people really care about issues in their communities they will write for free and share their good and bad news, that’s what people are doing using blogs or social networks in other countries. Some good examples from overseas websites are Ireport, allvoices or digitaljournal. They are american based but I am sure if you did a little google search you will find a few Australian websites experimenting with that concept which is very, very popular overseas. Unfortunately Australians are still behind the times and don’t get social media or more important citizen journalism, hyperlocal news, blogs and so on.
So the best thing Australian can do right now is find these kind of websites and support them, use them and create content. Oh and I am not talking about forums either.
Thanks
The next generation of media is social/community media, but it will take some time for Australian to understand that concept, media not only created by journalists but from anyone in the community, I rather hear what my neighbour thinks of some of the issues around my city than reading news.com.au for example.
I don’t even bother with Crikey, if people really care about issues in their communities they will write for free and share their good and bad news, that’s what people are doing using blogs or social networks in other countries. Some good examples from overseas websites are Ireport, allvoices or digitaljournal. They are american based but I am sure if you did a little google search you will find a few Australian websites experimenting with that concept which is very, very popular overseas. Unfortunately Australians are still behind the times and don’t get social media or more important citizen journalism, hyperlocal news, blogs and so on.
So the best thing Australian can do right now is find these kind of websites and support them, use them and create content. Oh and I am not talking about forums either.
Thanks
Like the old CPA and the SPA, GLW’s socialist group gained enough $ through members’ dues and donations and the odd but significant windfall inheritance of members and suppporters, permitting it in the 70s/80s when real estate in capital cities was relatively cheap to purchase largish inner city properties, such as former warehouses, renovate them with the voluntary skilled and unskilled labour of 100s of members/supporters, pay them off and then borrow against those assets to not only produce a corporate-advertising-free printed weekly newspaper but also financially support a large number of full-time organisers, writers, production staff, etc.
Like the old CPA and the SPA, GLW’s socialist group gained enough $ through members’ dues and donations and the odd but significant windfall inheritance of members and suppporters, permitting it in the 70s/80s when real estate in capital cities was relatively cheap to purchase largish inner city properties, such as former warehouses, renovate them with the voluntary skilled and unskilled labour of 100s of members/supporters, pay them off and then borrow against those assets to not only produce a corporate-advertising-free printed weekly newspaper but also financially support a large number of full-time organisers, writers, production staff, etc.
I liked Ben Eltham, always had a solid word to say. I’ll miss NM I reckon and probably should cough-up for Crikey… still I wonder what the youf and the unwashed are doing – most people I talk to don’t even have an opinion on BBQ stoppers – it might just be a QLD thing.
I liked Ben Eltham, always had a solid word to say. I’ll miss NM I reckon and probably should cough-up for Crikey… still I wonder what the youf and the unwashed are doing – most people I talk to don’t even have an opinion on BBQ stoppers – it might just be a QLD thing.
Ben Eltham was the best of them, but he was pretty poor all the same. For a journalist, he didn’t seem to speak to anybody. He just wrote these little undergraduate essays.
Ben Eltham was the best of them, but he was pretty poor all the same. For a journalist, he didn’t seem to speak to anybody. He just wrote these little undergraduate essays.
“Gimme a feckin’ Australian newspaper that isnt run by low renters: even if its only once a week on Saturdays.”
We’ve got that here in SA with The Independent Weekly so I’m surprised there isn’t something similar where you are Lefty E, although the paper IMO started to take more of an anti-Labor/pro-Liberal POV in the last 12 months or so (putting Mike Rann’s attacker on the front page and devoting a double spread interview to him during the election campaign was a very poor decision) but in saying that the editor Hendrik Gout (sometimes writes for Crikey) was from the Democrats so not totally unexpected. It used to be a pretty even handed paper until then.
“Gimme a feckin’ Australian newspaper that isnt run by low renters: even if its only once a week on Saturdays.”
We’ve got that here in SA with The Independent Weekly so I’m surprised there isn’t something similar where you are Lefty E, although the paper IMO started to take more of an anti-Labor/pro-Liberal POV in the last 12 months or so (putting Mike Rann’s attacker on the front page and devoting a double spread interview to him during the election campaign was a very poor decision) but in saying that the editor Hendrik Gout (sometimes writes for Crikey) was from the Democrats so not totally unexpected. It used to be a pretty even handed paper until then.
These days, the only Australian rag that doesn’t me wanna puke is The Canberra Times.
Sounds alright Jacques. Are people really convinced a weekly investigative paper wouldnt sell? I for one would pay up to $5 for it – a solidarity price, if you will.
These days, the only Australian rag that doesn’t me wanna puke is The Canberra Times.
Sounds alright Jacques. Are people really convinced a weekly investigative paper wouldnt sell? I for one would pay up to $5 for it – a solidarity price, if you will.
Re: The Green Left Weekly, it’s basically the propaganda sheet of the Socialist Alliance (a.k.a. the artists formerly known as the Democratic Socialist Party / Resistance, a.k.a. the artists formerly known as the Australian branch of the SWP). So there’s certainly been membership dues subsidising some of the cost of the paper. Some people say that as of ten years ago the Percy Brothers had managed to accumulate a not insignificant property portfolio, with all DSP / Res buildings registered in their names (as an aside, one of the great ironies of the Melbourne left is that those anti-land-speculation folks at the Henry George Club – in all its various forms – are funded by renting out property on Hardware Lane).
I also wonder, given the ongoing love-in with Uncle Fidel in Cuba and Uncle Hugo in Venezuela, if perhaps there’s some international support for the publication? Some folks say that overseas benefactors have certainly helped cover some of the costs of younger Res comrades going overseas in years gone by…
Re: The Green Left Weekly, it’s basically the propaganda sheet of the Socialist Alliance (a.k.a. the artists formerly known as the Democratic Socialist Party / Resistance, a.k.a. the artists formerly known as the Australian branch of the SWP). So there’s certainly been membership dues subsidising some of the cost of the paper. Some people say that as of ten years ago the Percy Brothers had managed to accumulate a not insignificant property portfolio, with all DSP / Res buildings registered in their names (as an aside, one of the great ironies of the Melbourne left is that those anti-land-speculation folks at the Henry George Club – in all its various forms – are funded by renting out property on Hardware Lane).
I also wonder, given the ongoing love-in with Uncle Fidel in Cuba and Uncle Hugo in Venezuela, if perhaps there’s some international support for the publication? Some folks say that overseas benefactors have certainly helped cover some of the costs of younger Res comrades going overseas in years gone by…
I agree with Sam, quality work means paying people. Robert M points out, correctly I think, how this can be achieved editorially with interesting writers but regardless at the end of the day it can’t happen for free. Even bloggers eventually have to face up to some hard truths about the time they spend writing, linking, researching and following stuff, let alone any costs they might incur to publish.
NM’s demise seems to suggest a general tightening of market conditions for so-called new media. Even a skeleton staff and minimal hosting overheads was too much for the ad based revenue model. Perhaps subscriptions are the key but in a relatively small niche I think you need to be lucky to get the numbers. The other model which might work is micropayments, ie payments per article or edition which could complement a full subscription model in much the same way as you might buy a paper occasionally or subscribe for a regular delivery. Together with sponsorships and advertising you might have a chance but I think relying on only one revenue stream is untenable. A co-operative model could work short term but who is going to oversee its ongoing business and for for what reward?
I liked NM and I am very disappointed to see it fold.
I agree with Sam, quality work means paying people. Robert M points out, correctly I think, how this can be achieved editorially with interesting writers but regardless at the end of the day it can’t happen for free. Even bloggers eventually have to face up to some hard truths about the time they spend writing, linking, researching and following stuff, let alone any costs they might incur to publish.
NM’s demise seems to suggest a general tightening of market conditions for so-called new media. Even a skeleton staff and minimal hosting overheads was too much for the ad based revenue model. Perhaps subscriptions are the key but in a relatively small niche I think you need to be lucky to get the numbers. The other model which might work is micropayments, ie payments per article or edition which could complement a full subscription model in much the same way as you might buy a paper occasionally or subscribe for a regular delivery. Together with sponsorships and advertising you might have a chance but I think relying on only one revenue stream is untenable. A co-operative model could work short term but who is going to oversee its ongoing business and for for what reward?
I liked NM and I am very disappointed to see it fold.
Ben Pobjie’s piece on Israel in yesterday’s NM was garbage. The editor must have been out to lunch when he submitted it. Who wants to read an article that’s been written in the style of an excited adolescent? NM won’t be missed.
Ben Pobjie’s piece on Israel in yesterday’s NM was garbage. The editor must have been out to lunch when he submitted it. Who wants to read an article that’s been written in the style of an excited adolescent? NM won’t be missed.
Pete@ 22.
Yeah.
There is actually a good example of that from round the Grafton/Coffs area.
There’s a blog called North Coast Voices that right into its local issues. Its the only example i can think of, but it is a start.
It has a strong left wing/radical/green bias and thats OK by me, but bsically its like a local version of LP for the area. (Several bloggers with similar enough outlooks blogging on local issues, not national ones.)
Regardless of the political affiliation that looks like it could be a good model for local media participation.
And a dynamic local blogging culture would really invigorate some of the debate in Australia. It has a potential to build community ties in the local community as well.
Pete@ 22.
Yeah.
There is actually a good example of that from round the Grafton/Coffs area.
There’s a blog called North Coast Voices that right into its local issues. Its the only example i can think of, but it is a start.
It has a strong left wing/radical/green bias and thats OK by me, but bsically its like a local version of LP for the area. (Several bloggers with similar enough outlooks blogging on local issues, not national ones.)
Regardless of the political affiliation that looks like it could be a good model for local media participation.
And a dynamic local blogging culture would really invigorate some of the debate in Australia. It has a potential to build community ties in the local community as well.
@30 – Sam, I think we get the idea from your multiple comments that you’re not a fan of NM. There’s no need to make the same point again and again.
@30 – Sam, I think we get the idea from your multiple comments that you’re not a fan of NM. There’s no need to make the same point again and again.
“Blogs like this one are different. A few academics write a few paras in between marking essays, and the audience does the rest, just like talk back radio. But would anyone pay to read LP? No.”
Sam, why don’t you just say what you’re thinking, stop beating around the bush.
“Blogs like this one are different. A few academics write a few paras in between marking essays, and the audience does the rest, just like talk back radio. But would anyone pay to read LP? No.”
Sam, why don’t you just say what you’re thinking, stop beating around the bush.
FWIW, I’m happy to provide free (donations welcome) hosting to good quality bloggers. I currently host Club Troppo, Skepticlawyer, Catallaxy Files and Andrew Norton.
FWIW, I’m happy to provide free (donations welcome) hosting to good quality bloggers. I currently host Club Troppo, Skepticlawyer, Catallaxy Files and Andrew Norton.
Mark
Very interesting idea. Be pleased to contribute in some way. Please email me further details.
Regards
Fascinated
Mark
Very interesting idea. Be pleased to contribute in some way. Please email me further details.
Regards
Fascinated
My idle speculations.
My idle speculations.
Dave @ 36
Last Friday 4 June Crikey, which your idle ‘speculations’ refer to as “a fully professional publication and it shows, the writers,…”, ran an article by Ava Hubble (who also writes for NM) which quoted totally incorrect information on pensioner earnings. My comment on that article is repeated hereunder:
Dave @ 36
Last Friday 4 June Crikey, which your idle ‘speculations’ refer to as “a fully professional publication and it shows, the writers,…”, ran an article by Ava Hubble (who also writes for NM) which quoted totally incorrect information on pensioner earnings. My comment on that article is repeated hereunder:
MODERATOR NOTE: Ava Hubble has responded to William the Conjuror @ 37. Unfortunately she did this on another thread, where as a new contributor it was intercepted by the automoderator. It seems more relevant to place it here ~ Brian
MODERATOR NOTE: Ava Hubble has responded to William the Conjuror @ 37. Unfortunately she did this on another thread, where as a new contributor it was intercepted by the automoderator. It seems more relevant to place it here ~ Brian
So very, very pleased to see that New Matilda has folded.
Once a shining example of freewheeling libertarian views from BOTH the Left and Right, under Marni Cordell’s soft left management it sank into being just another VERY tedious cesspool of intellectually lightweight columnS and blatant and brutal censorship of any slightly contrary blog comment.
It seems to have been an excellent month for overweening Arrogance and Hubris allowing chickens to come home to roost.
Hip hip hooray.
So very, very pleased to see that New Matilda has folded.
Once a shining example of freewheeling libertarian views from BOTH the Left and Right, under Marni Cordell’s soft left management it sank into being just another VERY tedious cesspool of intellectually lightweight columnS and blatant and brutal censorship of any slightly contrary blog comment.
It seems to have been an excellent month for overweening Arrogance and Hubris allowing chickens to come home to roost.
Hip hip hooray.
and as one of the main agents of arrogance and hubris, ecoeng, take a bow
and as one of the main agents of arrogance and hubris, ecoeng, take a bow
My blood ran cold, my skin turned grey
Remembering election day
was not so terribly remote
And morons had the right to vote!
Australia has some nasty things
The crocodile, the fish that stings
The snake, the spider and the shark
But worst of all, the moron’s bark!
My blood ran cold, my skin turned grey
Remembering election day
was not so terribly remote
And morons had the right to vote!
Australia has some nasty things
The crocodile, the fish that stings
The snake, the spider and the shark
But worst of all, the moron’s bark!