Printed and digital media are struggling to survive the precipitous comedown in their income amid the novel coronavirus pandemic as they appeal to creative ways to sustain themselves as reliable channels of fresh and truthful information.
Putting aside the concept of competition, for the first time some related media (such as TV, radio stations and regional newspapers) have agreed to work together by dividing the tasks among their journalists, as a way to reduce costs.
In these times, as we’ve already described, printed and digital platforms work with a minimum of personnel based in societies under quarantines of several hours or even complete lockdowns that restrict normal activities as much as possible.
Through this kind of media coupling, it’s possible to organize a distribution strategy for the filmed, photographic or face-to-face coverage for collective purposes, processed as each medium considers convenient.
Given that the drop in ad revenue and paid subscriptions have decreased considerably, there are media that offer their traditional advertisers some ‘future advertising’ (for when life returns to normal) but with significant discounts.
Newspapers that have lifted their payment walls on their digital platform, assuming an expensive sacrifice to facilitate a wide public access, at the same time also offer big discounts to those who would like to subscribe for two years. Others offer giveaways after the pandemic for those who favor a subscription.
In several countries, including the United States, multimedia and journalistic companies are asking their government for incentives and supplies to allow them to subsist and maintain their commitment of informing throughout and beyond this existential crisis.
– Translated from Spanish by Randy Rodriguez.
Director's Thoughts 