The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology (문화기술의 융합)

The International Promotion Agency of Culture Technology (국제문화기술진흥원)
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Digital News Innovation and Online Readership: A Study of Subscribers Paying for Online News

언론사의 디지털 혁신과 구독자 되찾기: 온라인 뉴스의 유료이용 경험에 관한 연구

  • Sun Ho Jeong (Dept. of Mass Communication, Konkuk University)
  • 정선호 (건국대학교 신문방송학과)
  • Received : 2023.10.03
  • Accepted : 2023.11.10
  • Published : 2023.11.30
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Abstract

Recently, South Korean newspapers began trying to charge for online news. This study attempts to shed light on the factors that influence payment for online news by analyzing Korea Press Foundation's 2022 Media Audience Survey (N = 58,936). The results of this study showed a steady increase in past payment and paying intent for online news since 2020. Predictors of past payment for online news included gender, age, and education, and interest in political and social issues. News use through specific media (i.e., newspapers, magazines, portals, messengers, social media, video sites, and podcasts), as well as mobile applications and e-mail newsletters, were found to contribute to paid subscriptions. Based on the findings of the study, news organizations should prepare to offer differentiated news content through their own news platforms and establish concrete plans to build trust in news.

이 연구는 최근 국내 신문사가 다시금 온라인 뉴스에 대한 유료화를 시도하는 상황에 주목하고 뉴스 독자 중에서도 유료이용 경험자에 대한 이해를 높이고자 했다. 한국언론진흥재단의 2022년 언론수용자조사 데이터(N = 58,936)를 분석한 결과, 2020년 이후 온라인 뉴스에 대한 유료이용 경험 및 유료이용 의향에 꾸준한 증가세가 관찰되었다. 실제 유료이용 경험을 설명하는 요인은 인구사회학적 속성 중 성별, 연령, 학력으로 나타났으며, 그밖에 정치·사회 현안에 대한 관심도, 다양한 미디어를 통한 뉴스 이용(신문, 잡지, 포털, 메신저, SNS. 동영상사이트, 팟캐스트) 등이 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 각 신문사가 온라인 뉴스 유통에 활용하고 있는 디지털 플랫폼의 형태와 관련해서는 언론사 애플리케이션과 이메일 뉴스레터의 이용이 유료구독 경험을 설명하는 요인으로 나타났다. 이와 같은 연구결과는 앞으로 한국의 언론사가 차별화된 뉴스 콘텐츠를 자사의 플랫폼을 통해 유통할 수 있도록 준비하고, 뉴스 독자와의 신뢰 관계를 형성하기 위한 구체적인 계획을 수립하는 것이 중요할 것임을 시사한다.

Keywords

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