Free Content Available At Rochester Post Bulletin For Non-Subscribers

The Post Bulletin, a Rochester-based publication, offers various types of content free of charge to both subscribers and non-subscribers. While the newspaper has required an online subscription for more than a decade, it maintains several content categories accessible without payment. This article explores the free content options available through the Post Bulletin website, explains why the publication offers these free materials, and provides information on how readers can access them.

Categories of Free Content

The Post Bulletin provides multiple categories of content freely available to all website visitors, regardless of subscription status. These free content options span various subjects and formats, serving the diverse interests of the Rochester community.

Obituaries

One of the most-read free content categories on the Post Bulletin website is obituaries. According to the publication, families pay to place obituary notices, and given the expense involved, the Post Bulletin feels obligated to provide these life stories with the widest potential readership possible. As a result, all obituaries are available for free viewing without requiring a subscription.

The online data indicates that obituaries are popular among both subscribers and non-subscribers, which reinforces the decision to keep them freely accessible. This approach ensures that the community can honor and remember local residents regardless of whether they pay for a subscription to the publication.

Special Magazine Features

Throughout the year, Rochester Magazine publishes several special features that are available to read without a subscription. Examples mentioned in the Post Bulletin include "100 Days of Summer" and "Local Table." These special features provide in-depth coverage of seasonal activities and local dining, respectively, and are made freely available to all readers.

Live Well Magazine

The Post Bulletin also shares "Live Well Magazine," a publication specifically designed for seniors, for free on its website. This magazine likely contains content relevant to older adults, potentially covering health topics, senior activities, community resources, and other subjects of particular interest to the senior population in Rochester.

Podcasts

Audio content is another area where the Post Bulletin offers free access. The publication's daily news summaries and other audio reports are available at PostBulletin.com/Podcasts. Additionally, these podcasts can be accessed through popular platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts. Regardless of where listeners find them, these audio reports are free for everyone to enjoy.

Crime News from Rochester Police Briefings

Several mornings each week, representatives from the Rochester Police Department and Olmsted County Sheriff's Office conduct media briefings to report significant crimes and emergency news from the previous 24 hours. From these briefings, the Post Bulletin produces news stories that are often similar to those from competing media outlets.

While some of these stories might appear behind a paywall on other platforms, the Post Bulletin makes its crime news coverage freely available online. This decision ensures that important public safety information is accessible to all community members without cost.

Community Press Releases

Similar to crime news coverage, the Post Bulletin receives the same public announcements as other media outlets regarding community events. These include information about street closures, blood drives, volunteer opportunities, and other public announcements of their kind. All such community press releases are free for readers to access without requiring a subscription.

Rochester in Color

The Post Bulletin maintains "Rochester in Color," an initiative designed to provide an information resource and local forum for Black and other non-white local voices. According to the publication, this resource would not be able to fulfill its mission if it were placed behind a paywall. Therefore, "Rochester in Color" is available for use by both subscribers and non-subscribers alike.

The Post Bulletin notes that outside sponsorships help underwrite the costs of providing this free content. This sponsorship model allows the publication to maintain financial support for the initiative while keeping it accessible to the entire community.

Why the Post Bulletin Offers Free Content

The Post Bulletin's decision to provide certain content free of charge may seem counterintuitive for a publication that operates on a subscription model. However, the editor outlines several reasons for this approach.

First and foremost, the Post Bulletin positions itself as part of the Rochester community. During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, the publication made its COVID-19 coverage freely available, recognizing that this information was essential for the community. This demonstrates the publication's commitment to serving the public interest, particularly during times of crisis.

Additionally, offering free content gives readers a "taste" of what the Post Bulletin can deliver. The editorial team hopes that readers who appreciate the free content might consider the value of the publication's subscription-based offerings. This strategy allows potential subscribers to sample the quality and depth of the journalism before committing financially.

The Post Bulletin also acknowledges that while journalism requires financial support—editors humorously note that "journalists have to eat, too"—maintaining community connection is equally important. The balance between requiring subscriptions for some content while providing other content freely reflects this dual priority.

How to Access Free Content

Accessing free content on the Post Bulletin website is straightforward. Readers can navigate to the publication's website and view the various categories of free content without needing to subscribe or provide payment information.

For obituaries, special magazine features, Live Well Magazine, crime news, and community press releases, readers can simply browse the respective sections of the website. The Post Bulletin indicates that it plans to implement a better system for marking these free content categories soon, but in the meantime, readers can explore the site to find them.

Podcasts are accessible through multiple channels. The Post Bulletin maintains a dedicated page at PostBulletin.com/Podcasts where all audio reports can be streamed or downloaded. Additionally, the podcasts are available on major platforms such as Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Google Podcasts, making them easily accessible through most smartphones and other devices.

"Rochester in Color" content can be found within its dedicated section on the Post Bulletin website, where readers can explore articles, opinions, and community forums focused on Black and non-white local voices.

Conclusion

The Post Bulletin demonstrates that a subscription-based publication can still provide significant value to non-subscribers by offering various categories of content freely. From essential information like obituaries and crime news to community resources like "Rochester in Color," the publication maintains a commitment to serving the entire Rochester community.

By making certain content accessible without a subscription, the Post Bulletin balances its need for financial support with its role as a community information source. This approach not only serves the public interest but also introduces potential subscribers to the quality journalism the publication provides.

For readers seeking free content, the Post Bulletin offers numerous options across multiple formats, including written articles, magazines, and podcasts. As the publication continues to refine its approach to marking free content, it remains committed to making valuable information available to all members of the community.

Sources

1. Jeff Pieters: Not a subscriber? There's plenty here to read for free
2. Harriet Hodgson - About
3. McAlister's Deli Will Open Two Rochester Locations Soon