Certain EO Media Group-generated stories are now marked "subscriber exclusive" on our websites. Becoming a subscriber unlocks full access to our journalism and online offerings, including perks such as being able to read the digital replica of the print paper and local, unique “subscriber exclusive” stories.

Within the past month or so, The Observer, Baker City Herald and East Oregonian have begun to offer subscriber-exclusive content.

Most newspapers and media outlets these days put their content behind a paywall. We do the same. We do this because what we produce every day and every week is hard work and it’s important. We deliver high-quality journalism that informs and, hopefully, provides a mirror for readers to look at their community.

No business — whether it’s selling tires of beef or wheat — can sustain itself by giving away its product. Seeking payment for our content allows us the financial freedom to pursue high-quality journalism on a regular basis.

What that means for you, the reader, is that some of our award-winning journalism — including investigations and feature articles — will now be accessible only to our most valued subscribers.

The change will mostly impact those who access our articles on our website or apps or other digital mechanisms.

The change may be a surprise for some. That’s OK. Change is often difficult but for us it means we can keep our talented corps of journalists and pay them a suitable wage for the great content they furnish Eastern Oregon.

A subscription by a reader allows us the flexibility to do the kind of work you’ve come to know and trust. Switching to subscriber-exclusive content allows us to sustain ourselves and to build on a solid foundation for the future.

Some elements of our news coverage — such as public safety issues – will not be restricted.

I think it is important that I convey we remain dedicated to furnishing content you, the reader, can use. Our subscriber-exclusive content blueprint rewards our loyal readers and, we hope, will attract others to subscribe.

If you have not already, I urge you to consider subscribing today to unlock access to our exclusive content that I believe is not only useful but thought-provoking and, at times, entertaining. Readers should remember there is a lot of content on our website that doesn’t make it into the print education because of a lack of space. That includes an array of puzzles, articles from various content partners, along with other web-only content our newsrooms produce. In short, our web platform is solid and, I believe, growing every week.

We offer a full range of valuable content and I think those who subscribe will not be disappointed.