I know, for journalists, that seeing the layperson comment on newspaper cuts can be frustrating. But asking the reader/customer to offer up money for reasons of principle, not just product (buy to save the paper etc), invites views.

Readers are increasingly asked not to buy a product but to support a principle - that the paper should exist, why it should exist. An organisation - of any kind - cannot ask the public to donate to support their principles without having those principles scrutinised.

You cannot say to the public - buy a paper to support these principles - its very existence, a free press, quality reporting - but criticise them for holding their own views as to what principles they will pay money to support or not support. [misinformed views aside]

This, for example, is something that really sticks in my craw. When the public are asked to donate to save a paper, they are asked to support its business and editorial choices. But often those business and editorial choices horrify me, as a woman. https://twitter.com/lauraewaddell/status/1252570746070728704

The press is essential for a healthy society & freedom of speech. But it is not lost on me that in being invited to support *those* principles, I would also be supporting management teams of all mens, industry filled with male editors, and reactionary, hate-filled comment.

To sum up - journalists need to stop barking #buyapaper at the public *while also* chastising them for asking questions as to what other principles within that paper they're willing to support with their cash. You can't have it both ways.

It you're replying 'buy a paper' 'local journalism is important' to this - if you see all criticism as anti-press - you have missed the point I am making about inviting consumers to think and discuss principles of parting with their money.