"Freeeee-evnin' staaanad" may be a new sound for London's workforce as they herd their ways back home after 12th October this year.
But will the news that the Evening Standard is to become 'London's first quality newspaper in the world to go free' mean good quality journalism and a claimed increase from 250,000 copies to 600,000?
In other news it seems that a second evening freesheet, London Lite, may disappear, following the demise of the London Paper. Shame. Reading them on the way home was about as productive and pleasurable an experience as poking yourself in the eye with a fork.
So the Standard's only real competition as a London paper will soon be the morning freebie, Metro. Will the Standard come across as an examplar of 'quality journalism', comopared to the Metro, when both are free?
The Standard is as much part of London life as the Congestion Charge, Tube strikes and over-priced restaurants. It used to be like the Daily Mail with more restaurant reviews and before its takeover by Russian billionaire Alexander Lebedev for the price of two issues, did some good campaigning and had some good journalists. And Michael Winner.
Of course, with technology (eg wireless e-books, iphones and netbooks) able to deliver free, online news content at home or on the move, it is no surprise that 'offline' newspaper revenues have been in decline. It raises the question about paying for 'quality journalism'. Should newspapers now be charging for online content and how much should they be giving it away free offline? How will the Standard maintain its um standard? How many ads will the reader put up with?
John Ridding, Chief Executive of the Financial Times, believes in charging for online content to safeguard quality journalism and maintain revenue streams. "Clearly we have to be worried about quality journalism. Journalism is a craft, it's a skill, it requires training, it requires investment", he says.
So is print journalism stuck between a rock and hard place; offer quality and downsize or sell news for free; increase readership but lose quality?
From the 12th October, whether the Evening Standard succeeds may be the acid test of whether and how we pay for our news.
Simon
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