• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.1111-1117
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• 2023

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.