Category talk:English-language news websites without paywall

Paywalls on news websites can pose challenges for free access to information

Paywalls limit access to news, especially for individuals who cannot afford to subscribe. In democratic societies, free access to news is vital for people to make informed decisions, stay updated on critical events, and hold those in power accountable. Limiting access to reliable information can disproportionately affect lower-income populations.

While wealthier individuals can afford multiple news subscriptions, those with limited resources may be pushed toward less reliable, free sources. This creates a digital divide where only those who can pay are fully informed, while others may rely on biased or less accurate information.

When paywalls restrict the reach of reputable journalism, individuals may turn to social media or other unverified sources for news. This can erode press freedom, as independent journalism might struggle to reach broad audiences, limiting its role as a watchdog on government and corporate power.

An informed citizenry is fundamental to healthy public discourse. When news is behind a paywall, fewer people can engage in meaningful discussions about important issues, which weakens democratic participation and social cohesion.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the right to access information. Paywalls, by restricting access to critical knowledge, can be seen as contradictory to this principle, especially in times of crisis where information is crucial for survival and well-being (e.g., health pandemics or natural disasters).

Because of all the above, I think it's a good thing that Wikipedia has a list of news websites that provide free access to quality news stories, and that's why this category and its subcategories should be on Wikipedia. Zagrepčan (talk) 08:34, 24 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Responses such as this suggest that you're here for an agenda, not to meaningfully contribute to an encyclopedia. See WP:RIGHTGREATWRONGS. Zaathras (talk) 23:56, 24 October 2024 (UTC)[reply]