[quadrangle]

As difficult as this trade-off for business is, I prefer to financially support journalism that isn't compromising its values by using third-party ads. The journalism that rejects advertising is the virtuous journalism that most deserves our dollars.

[PaulDavisThe1st]

I don't see local news media as likely to find a way to operate without at least some advertising revenue at any time in the next decade, at least.

I pay to support some ad-free journalistic endeavors, but I also pay to support a local newspaper that is the ONLY thing keeping tabs on our city council, county officials and so on. Pro Publica is great and even the Intercept has its moments, but neither of them are coming to my town or county and doing that local work.

[jeegsy]

I think that advertising from local small businesses might be ok.

[egonschiele]

In that case, how do you support journalism?

[quadrangle]

I support ad-free journalism, such as Democracy Now or journalism organizations like the Freedom of the Press Foundation. I haven't actually done all the homework I'd like to do in order to identify an ideal list of all the journalism (particularly local!) that is at least as good as I can find.

I didn't mean to suggest that we should insist on ad-free before donating at all, but it's a concern. I'm more inclined to donate when there's no ads, and when there are ads, I'm extra hesitant.

I also don't like paywalls. So, really, I'm thinking about how to highlight and support the free-to-all work that is also uncompromised by ads. That's what most deserves and needs support.