Herald moves to online paywall

MOSES LAKE — The Columbia Basin Herald is changing its web presentation format.

Beginning today, the Herald’s online news content will be accessible through a paywall, according to publisher Caralyn Bess. The change reflects the growing number of readers who read their news exclusively on the internet.

The Columbia Basin Herald has published continuously in print since 1941 and had a web presence since 2004, according to newspaper staff. Originally only a certain number of stories went to the freely-accessible website while the entire print edition was available online for subscribers only. The amount of news on the free site has increased over the years, following the growth of social media as a news source.

Effective noon on Feb. 20, readers will be able to access five articles every 30 days at no charge, Bess said. Beyond that, articles will be available to both print subscribers and readers who sign up for digital-only access. Online content access is included in the subscription price for home delivery customers. Either subscription can be activated at the Herald’s website, www.columbiabasinherald.com.

— Staff report