The Echo introduces new online subscription model

THE Echo Newspaper has introduced a new subscription model for online content on Echo.ie.

For less than a fiver a month, you can enjoy unlimited access to all content on Echo.ie and a weekly ePaper, while supporting the continuation of local news in your community.

Over the past 43 years, The Echo has had to adapt to ensure its survival – and to ensure that our communities continue to have a space to raise concerns, challenge decisions and celebrate local life.

Our survival over four decades is thanks to you, our readers, our advertisers and our communities, your support has secured the continuation of independent local news and quality local journalism since 1980.

Here at The Echo, we have a professional and committed team of local journalists and photographers who work hard to capture the stories that matter most to you.

Our team write more than 80 news, community, sport and feature articles every week, attending events and meeting with groups and organisations to speak with those living, working and volunteering locally.

For nearly a decade, these diverse stories, many of which are unique to The Echo, have been free-to-view online.

However, we need to adapt once more as we look to the future of local news across Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, Ballyfermot and surrounding communities.

As a local newspaper we are aware of our role to inform, so will continue to have a level of accessible content for everyone on Echo.ie.

For full access to all content, however, we are encouraging readers to join The Echo’s online subscriber community.

Emma Kennedy, The Echo’s MD, has thanked people for supporting the continuation of local news by either buying the paper or subscribing online

Speaking this week, The Echo’s Managing Director Emma Kennedy said: “Just like every other business we have had to evolve online and re-evaluate our business.

“We have been providing free local news online now for many years, but the costs of running the online service have increased substantially.

“Newspaper sales and print advertising revenues have always been the method of revenue for The Echo, these pay our staff wages and cover the cost of newspaper printing and delivery.

“However, with newspaper sales and advertising revenue at a standstill, and with the huge rise in print and online costs we need to convert our online platform to a subscription model.”

She added: “We will continue to provide free content and community news on Echo.ie, but we need you to continue supporting local news and local journalism by subscribing.

“This is how we’ll continue to cover your events, fundraising initiatives, matches and local stories that capture our community’s attention week in, week out.

“Thank you for your loyal support over the last 43 years, we really appreciate the community getting behind us.

“We hope you can come on board with us and continue to support real local news for the next 43 years.”

Local press plays an invaluable role in communities, providing people with a space to be heard, celebrated and inspired.

Help us to keep local news and local journalism alive in our communities by subscribing to Echo.ie.

The monthly subscription price is €4.99 or avail of our best value offer of  €39.99 for an annual subscription.

There will be no changes to your weekly edition of The Echo which, packed with the latest and best in local news, will continue to be delivered to your door, local shop or community hub every Thursday.

If you choose to support local news through buying The Echo in print or online at Echo.ie, we say thank you.

Visit the subscription section of Echo.ie for more or email subscriptions@echo.ie.