We ran into CivilBeat, an online newspaper, and hoped that this newcomer might have an interesting approach to the news and revenue model issues facing online journalism. Instead, we found a paywall.
While we’re not against new and innovative business models, it seems that a paywall for a young online magazine is a little aggressive. Without any history, assurance of quality, or high-profile “branded reporting,” it’s asking potential readers to take a huge leap of faith with their hard-earned cash.