How to solve the problem of financing print media?: 

    

     There is a close parallel between Great Britain and Germany: Both countries have state-funded and privately-funded media. The BBC—which is analogous to the German öffentlich-rechtliche Sender—is funded by a license fee, whereas print media is financed by advertisement, subscriptions, and retail sales. As in Germany, the Internet is becoming increasingly dominant in Britain. The Internet has caused a decline in print media circulation, thereby reducing profits from advertisement and sales. This links to the question: How can the problem of financing print media be resolved? 

      A potential solution to this problem are government subsidies. In contrast to advertising revenue, subsidies enable publishers of print media to receive a stable income. These subsidies are broadly comparable to agricultural subsidies which have prevented farmers from going bankrupt. By receiving adequate subsidies, independent print media has roughly the same opportunity to be financially independent as the BBC. 

    Another possible solution is that journalists and publishers increase the quality and the reliability of their works. Surveys revealed that many people have the opinion that the quality and the reliability of newspapers have declined in recent years, as they increasingly resemble tabloids (Oakland 263). Newspapers should, therefore, provide high-quality and well-researched content, as opposed to gossip and fictional content. High-quality and reliable content contributes to a rise in profit. Similarly, more financially independent media can provide more critical content, thereby increasing readership and profits. 

Source: 

Oakland, John. British Civilization: An Introduction. 7th ed. New York: Routledge, 2011. Print.