The fact of the matter is that a subscription-based online news source is not an easy model. One such as malaysiakini needs to consider every format of distribution and payment collection. Here are a few suggestions:

  • Have short-message service (SMS) based news-subscription and chat services.

  • Create a free flowing online-forum that is totally unedited and anonymous.

  • Make payment as painless as possible. Make it easy for students in colleges and even secondary schools to subscribe. I like the idea of e-coupons at news vendors. Make payment available overseas like in Singapore where there are thousands of Malaysians interested in the news.

  • Create a business and lifestyle section — lots of punters want to know the dirt on companies and lifestyle section attracts the young.

    • After you have done everything, you still need to keep costs low. That is just the fact of life as Internet penetration is still low.