ABSTRACT
In 2020, news media that had erected paywalls for their digital news product lowered those paywalls to allow free public access to information pertaining to the coronavirus. This public service quality is a key to continuing the core function of journalism as the Fourth Estate and even beyond. In the 21st century, journalism leadership has an opportunity to reimagine news media that operate on a much lower cost scale and engage the public in an interactive, immersive, and innovative news discourse on all matters of public importance, and one that operates ethically and is supported financially by globally connected digital subscribers, while protecting their right to privacy.
