Newspapers are having both an internal and external debate over whether they should be charging for their online content. Some already have taken that step and others are now considering it.

The New York Times, which a few years ago charged for access to its opinion pages, is deliberating whether to adopt a pay structure again. Among those saying most adamantly that the Times should follow this course are some of its readers.

New York Times Readers Offer to Pay for Online Newspaper Content

When the newspaper announced it was cutting 100 staff positions, many expressed willingness in comments on its Web site to pay for online access to the Times. Some recommended charging for a premium service, around $9.99 a month, to enable readers to have access to all content and just putting headlines online. Others called for more subscription options such as only ordering the paper on certain days of the week or making the site free to print subscribers and charging non-subscribers—similar to the current Wall Street Journal model.

Some readers even urged the Times to let them decide after they read particular articles whether to pay for them. Such a system could be part of setting up an account, for say $50 a year, to get content from a consortium of providers or publishers in a network of newspapers.

Aside from articles, those with an account also could opt for podcasts or interactive graphics. A portion of their money would be directed to the content creators and any remaining amount of their yearly payment could be divided internally by the consortium.

Among the possible options for newspapers that have emerged:

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