When I was living in Germany, I still subscribed to my Ottawa newspaper. The only change was I switched to a digital version instead of the print edition.

I have noted in the past five years especially that the quality of the paper has deteriorated. The paper has shrunk, the “news” is stale. I understand that newspapers don’t have the immediacy of electronic media. but I should be reading stories of events several days old that are labeled “news.” About the only thing that hasn’t changed much is the comics section.

As a former newspaper reporter, I know the constraints the media faces. I won’t detail them here- the post could become book length. And I have great empathy for those trying to do a good job and inform the public. I want them to succeed. We need a free and vibrant press.

This week though I received an email telling me the price of my digital subscription is doubling. “Rising costs” were mentioned. but no details provided. You would think that they would want to justify such a massive increase.

The print edition of the paper, which I prefer to the electronic, would cost three times the new digital price. I’m not willing to pay that for what is some days little more than a pamphlet. The paper that used to publish seven days a week is now happy to show up on five of seven. i don’t think service reductions are the way to retain or attract subscribers, but what do I know?

To add insult to injury, the newspaper’s website offers a year-long digital subscription for what they want me to pay for a month. Same service, one twelfth the price.

Should I cancel my subscription?