Impact of the implementation of paywalls in Kenya: case of nation media group.

The era of digital disruption has compelled media houses in Kenya, as it has worldwide, to undergo a fundamental reassessment of their operational models for survival and sustainability. One such model that has emerged in response to these challenges is the paywall, which some media organizations are now exploring as a viable and alternative source of sustainable revenue. Notably, the Nation Media Group blazed the trail in Kenya by pioneering the implementation of a paywall. This undertaking presents an array of challenges and opportunities that warrant careful consideration. In the context of this study, which employed a qualitative approach, it has become evident that conducting thorough research before embarking on paywall implementation is key. Media houses must prioritize the cultivation of a paywall culture among their staff and seek to garner audience buy-in before venturing into this new revenue model. This study underscores the significance of delivering high-quality content that justifies monetization efforts. To support the successful implementation of a paywall, media organizations must also invest in robust digital infrastructure capable of facilitating seamless access and user experience for their subscribers. These strategic considerations are vital in navigating the complex landscape of paywall implementation in the evolving media ecosystem

On Digital Distribution’s Failure to Solve Newspapers’ Existential Crisis: Symptoms, Causes, Consequences and Remedies

This chapter examines some of the symptoms and causes of the crisis facing newspapers via analyses of their finances and of audience measures. The consequences of the crisis, and whether there are any realistic remedies, are also considered, both in relation to journalism as a product and to the institutions, such as newspapers, that have traditionally produced it. We start with an analysis of the financial performance of multiplatform news publishers in Australia, Europe and the USA, which leads us to conclude that digital distribution is not reversing newspapers’ decline, and raises questions about the support for journalism in the long term. Next, some of the consequences of the declines that have already taken place are discussed. Moving from consequences to possible remedies, the chapter focuses on two areas. Firstly, media policy, and secondly, journalism as a product: what news should be produced and how it should be delivered. Another strand of the chapter concerns audience measures. They are used to help explain newspapers’ continuing dependency on print revenues, and are understood, depending on their constitution and use, as both a party to the crisis and as an able assistant in its alleviation

Analysis of paywalled news content in Kenya: the case of the standard group.

I want to thank God in the strongest possible terms for providing me with the confidence and fortitude to carry out this research effectively. I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to everyone who helped me finish this thesis on Analysis of Paywalled News Content: The Case of the Standard Group. The research would not have been possible without the help, direction, and encouragement of many people and organisations, for which I am eternally grateful. First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors, Dr. Rosalind Raddatz and Dr. Joseph Nyanoti, for their essential advice, knowledge, and unwavering support during this research journey. The direction and calibre of my thesis were greatly influenced by their astute comments, helpful criticism, and mentoring. Sincere thanks go out to the study\u27s participants, without whose help, it would have been impossible to come to the research\u27s conclusions. They made a big contribution to the knowledge base in this field by being prepared to share their perspectives and experiences with paywalled news content. I am appreciative of their time and honesty, I am appreciative. I\u27d also like to thank my classmates, the AKU Faculty and staff Henry Kibira, Paul Kimweli, and Augustine Gitonga; and the researchers at The Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications for freely sharing their knowledge, support and advice. Their dedication to intellectual investigation and readiness to engage in meaningful discussions have substantially expanded my grasp of the subject. My family Hellen, Shanaya, Danicah, and friends, more specifically Lynet, deserve a special note of appreciation for their unfailing support, understanding, and inspiration throughout this study project. My patience and commitment to this study have been motivated by their faith in my talents and never-ending encouragement. As the author of this thesis, I express gratitude to all those who contributed their knowledge to this thesis on Paywalls in Kenya, apologizing for any omissions, and acknowledging the collaborative effort, advice, support, and encouragement provided during the research trip

Salvation or Folly? The Promises and Perils of Digital Paywalls

This article chronicles the recent history of the debate in the United States over digital paywalls, a model often hailed as newspapers’ savior. We show how this debate has evolved from emphasizing industry-wide adoption to focusing on individual experiments. While highlighting potential legal, economic, and democratic concerns with paywalls, we examine the empirical record of three prominent newspaper paywall models: the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette, the Dallas Morning News, and the New York Times. While each has enjoyed varying levels of success, our analysis suggests that paywalls are unable to offset steep losses in advertising revenue. We conclude by briefly discussing non-commercial alternatives

Use, but pay? Factors affecting the adoption of news websites among young adults

This study explored young people\u27s consumption of and willingness to pay for traditional news websites with both uses and gratifications and diffusion of innovation theory as theoretical frames. Based on a survey sample of U.S. college students, it revealed similarities and differences among certain groups of adopters. Regression analyses found when aiming for new young readers and potential payers, news producers should focus on addressing needs for surveillance, understanding, and entertainment, give as many people the opportunity to try out the website, and target particularly e-book readers, but avoid those playing a lot of online games. Social media features, expressed through the observability characteristic, were found to still underperform and currently work best for those already engaged with the sites

Membership as a business model: exploring reader revenue stream for media organizations in Kenya

The media landscape is facing an unprecedented crisis characterised by dwindling revenue, technological disruption, audience retention challenge, and competition from other forms of media and technology firms, with growth in digital media unable to cover the shortfall. In Kenya, the revenue crisis has morphed into the shrinking of newsrooms through massive sacking and loss of jobs, profit warnings by leading media houses and delayed payment of staff salaries. One of the main drivers of shrinking newsrooms is because of audience fragmentation and segmentation that has led to the rise of niche platforms fighting for the same revenue with mainstream media. The challenging media landscape calls for a rethink of the media business, especially on new revenue models. Media houses are now looking more to reader revenue as opposed to over-reliance on advertising revenue. The main of objective of this study was to explore membership as a revenue model for digital media in Kenya. The other specific objectives were to find out the revenue models existing in digital media in Kenya and to draw guidelines and membership incentive list for digital media in Kenya. This was an exploratory study that used qualitative method where 11 media leaders from eight media houses in Kenya were interviewed to give their views on the existing revenue model and their understanding of the viability of membership as a revenue model in digital newsrooms. From their views the study came up with a list of seven incentives media houses can use to attract and retain members. Membership being a new topic in Kenya this study relied on a document analysis of membership programs globally. Document analysis of the Membership Puzzle Project helped to illustrate the steps a media house should take while setting up a membership program using their Membership Guide

Salvation or Folly? The Promises and Perils of Digital Paywalls

This article chronicles the recent history of the debate in the United States over digital paywalls, a model often hailed as newspapers’ savior. We show how this debate has evolved from emphasizing industry-wide adoption to focusing on individual experiments. While highlighting potential legal, economic, and democratic concerns with paywalls, we examine the empirical record of three prominent newspaper paywall models: the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, the Dallas Morning News, and the New York Times. While each has enjoyed varying levels of success, our analysis suggests that paywalls are unable to offset steep losses in advertising revenue. We conclude by briefly discussing non-commercial alternatives