Struggling Newspapers To Offer Premium Truth Content

New York Times Pay Per Truth Premium Content

For Some Change: PPT may help save newspaper industry and Republic.

With advertising rates down and subscription revenue plummeting, several newspapers are pondering a move to offer content that is actually true, free of bias, and fair. The plans would require readers to pay for the extra truth.

The New York Times is leading the way with its new "Pay Per Truth" (PPT) program.

Under the program, readers can read current content that is slanted and distorted. For extra money, these same readers can access an article that offers facts and presents points-of-view from both sides.

Readers, for example, could read articles and editorials that are somewhat critical of the Obama administration, written in the same style used to question the policies of past Republican administrations.

"This is a completely new business model for the New York Times," said Clark Hoyt, who holds the Stalinist-sounding position of public editor for the New York Times. "The last time we tried even a remote crack at the truth was probably a pre-Nixon story. So, we're a little rusty."

The Washington Post is sponsoring a similar program called, "Deep Truth." For premium Washington Post readers, the newspaper promises to offer balanced reporting and verified facts.

Deborah Howell, omsbudsperson for the Washington Post, regrets this service wasn't available for the 2008 campaign.

"Offering pay-per-truth may not just save the newspaper industry," Howell said. "It will give people the opportunity to make informed choices on their future--for a change."

Larry James Fentenmelder, a Post premium reader, is pleased with his improved access to truth.

"I just read the other day that the Obama administration may have passed up the most important chance of our generation at Middle East peace by not acting more decisively to help the Iranian demonstrators," said Fentenmelder. "And then they actually contrasted this with the administration's immediate condemnation of the Hondoran coup. Hey. Wait. Is Obama left wing, or something?"

Newspapers are also experimenting with a pay-per-cheer edition that would contain even more fawning platitudes toward the current president. It would be like the San Francisco Chronicle.

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