It used to be that the news had to get out. Now it’s the ad that’s got to get out, and the news takes a back seat, or so says Gary P. Bryant, publisher of the recently launched, TheNextBigStory.com, an innovative news site that emphasizes issues-oriented news, without advertising. “In their desperate hunt for ad revenue, most online media including newspapers and news networks have let the big ad networks turn their once respected franchises into online carnivals.” says Bryant. tnbs-image
After launching TheNextBigStory.com a little more than a month ago, Bryant reluctantly partnered with a large ad network but soon became disenchanted with the automatic presentation of sometimes distasteful ads. “Aggressive animated graphics would pop up in front of the page, in-between pages and behind pages, all of which distracts and frustrates the visitor and slows the entire process down.” In less than a week, online ads were replaced with a single small donation button.
“Recently in the Washington Post Online edition, there was an obituary piece on Michael Jackson, who had passed away the same day. Embedded in the center of the article was a fairly large graphic ad featuring a picture of Paul McCartney, promoting an upcoming concert venue. I thought that was just tacky.” Bryant said. ” Neither McCartney nor the Post editors were probably aware of the situation.” Bryant says the issue comes up with the advertiser using keyword matching. “Once a webmaster installs the ad script on their website, the prostitution of journalism goes robotically marching on.”
“At The Next Big Story, we’ve opted for a donation model,” says Bryant, “If we’re providing value to the visitor, hopefully they’ll recognize that and support us, if not, we all lose eventually.”
About TheNextBigStory.com
Launched on June 4, 2009, TheNextBigStory.com provides a variety of world news and feature reports that emphasis. With a focus on international events and issues including conflict, climate change, hunger and economics.
