PLEASANTVILLE, N.J. (AP) _ The Press of Atlantic City on Monday started charging nonsubscribers who want to regularly access its Web site a monthly fee of $6.95.
The newspaper said its Web site has become more valuable with breaking news updates, audio and video that are not available in the print edition.
The Press said its Web site had 5.67 million page views in August, which was up 46 percent from a year earlier, and 85 percent from two years ago.
“This tells us our Web site, PressofAtlanticCity.com, has matured into a content and information product with a reach that is far greater than any local Web site,'' Publisher Keith Dawn wrote in a letter to readers published in Monday's newspaper.
The newspaper offers an annual subscription of $69.95, representing a 16 percent discount over monthly charges. A subscription includes access to the Web site.
Nonsubscribers can view six stories or other online content a month before receiving a prompt asking them to register and pay the fee. After 10 views per month, the reader will be prohibited from further access to the site without paying.
During a local emergency, such as a hurricane, the site will remain free to all readers.
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