The Australian, which happens to be my favourite newspaper, has just launched a new website and tablet app - which may not sound revolutionary. What is disruptive, at least from the point of view of the Australian media landscape, is that much of the online content, and all of the app delivered content, is locked behind a paywall.

Just another brick in the wall

For some time my view has been decidedly anti-paywall. I have always, or at least up until now, believed that information should be set free... But, there is a new hash reality in the world of newspapers. Print media is the big elephant, no it's really the big dinosaur in the room. Print media is facing extinction as we all flock to online news sources.

What's even worse for Old Media companies is that we are all reading their content online for free. Actually, they would be happy if we were reading their websites, but much of the social media generation gets its news from online friends, from what is posted on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Still, I read news sites like www.theaustralian.com.au - but as of today it's locked behind a paywall...

Why content walls are a GOOD thing!

I have only recently come to this position, but I think paywalls are a good thing. Here's why:

• Paywalls provide a new revenue source for news websites, enabling them to continue paying great journalists
• Paying great journalists means that we get quality coverage that may be missing on blogs
• Paying journalists means more diverse coverage and opinions are available on the web
• Paywalls generate revenue that can fund the full potential of post Web 2.0 news sites featuring video blogs, photo streams, MP3 interviews, etc
• Paywalls provide users with the opportunity to feel they have access to 'exclusive' content, building greater loyalty to media outlets.

I am going to pay for onlinw access to The Australian because I strongly believe it is the best newspaper in this country. I am going to cross the paywall because I want to support great journalists. I am going to pay to cross the paywall because I believe it's worth supporting the news outlets that you love.

Would you pay to access your favourite newspaper online?