Why charge for reporting when you can just beg readers for the cash to do it? One news outlet's already taking the progressive step of doing so.

The Chi-Town Daily News reported on a developer who tore down a Victorian home built in the 1890s, who's now a little too cash-strapped to carry on with building the nice condos he planned on putting there. Nice story, right?

But the kicker comes at the bottom:

Yes, they note that they're a "501(c)(3) public charity" that "depend on contributions from readers like you to train volunteer neighborhood reporters and produce Chicago's best independent local news coverage." Non-profits: the new New Media Profit Model! Considering the profitability of most other news outlets, it looks like the Chi-Town Daily News is way ahead of its time. They could also just lease out their offices to shoot movies. Then again, they probably don't have any. Cost-cutting efficiency, too!

Condo project in question amid financial concerns [Chi-Town Daily News]

Previously: Slave Labor: The New, New-Media Profit Model

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