The Salt Lake Tribune will soon drop its paywall. Here’s how that will work.

In a significant shift aimed at enhancing accessibility and community engagement, The Salt Lake Tribune has announced plans to eliminate its paywall in the near future. This decision comes a year after CEO and executive editor Lauren Gustus challenged supporters during a fundraising event to help raise $1 million. Her promise back then was clear: if the fundraising goal was achieved, The Tribune would make its online content freely available to the public. The Salt Lake Tribune, which transitioned to a nonprofit model in 2019, has made it a mission to serve the community by providing comprehensive news coverage without the restraints of a paywall. Gustus’s pledge to drop the paywall is a testimony to the newspaper's commitment to transparency and its belief that access to news is a fundamental right for all citizens. By removing the paywall, The Tribune is hoping to reach a wider audience, providing essential news and information to a variety of readers who may have been previously deterred by subscription costs. The decision to abolish the paywall is also reflective of a growing trend among newspapers to adapt their business models in the face of changing reader habits and a challenging advertising landscape. Many publications are exploring similar paths, recognizing that cultivating a wider readership is crucial for long-term sustainability. The Salt Lake Tribune’s approach signals a commitment to building a stronger, more informed community, where everyone has the opportunity to engage with local journalism. While the exact timeline for the removal of the paywall has not been finalized, Gustus and her team are optimistic about meeting their fundraising goal. Community supporters, knowing the impact of their contributions, have rallied around this initiative, emphasizing the importance of quality journalism in shaping public discourse. As The Tribune moves forward with this bold step, it reflects not only the changing landscape of media consumption but also the vital role that fully accessible journalism plays in a democratic society. Overall, the Salt Lake Tribune's upcoming transition aligns with a broader vision of inclusivity and community engagement, marking a new chapter in the way local news is consumed and valued. It sets a precedent that could inspire other publications to consider similar paths in redefining their models of accessibility and public service.