Revista Latina de Comunicación Social # 069 – Pages 418 to 461 Funded Research | DOI: 10.4185/RLCS-2014-1019en | ISSN 1138-5820 | Year 2014 How to cite this article in bibliograhies / References X López García, A Bellón Rodríguez, R de Mateo Pérez (2014): “Free newspapers caught up in the crisis: two formats, one uncertain fate”. Revista Latina de Comunicación Social, 69, pp. 435 to 461. http://www.revistalatinacs.org/069/paper/1019_USC/22xen.html DOI: 10.4185/RLCS-2014-1019en Free newspapers caught up in the crisis: two formats, one uncertain fate X López García [CV] [ ORCID] [ GS] Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC), Spain -
[email protected] A Bellón Rodríguez [CV] [ ORCID] [ GS] Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain -
[email protected] R de Mateo Pérez [CV] [ ORCID] [ GS] Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (UAB), Spain -
[email protected] Abstract Introduction. Free print newspapers, one of the main innovations in the communications market, are a paradigm of the crisis and the debate over the print and digital platforms. Method. The article explores, through content analysis, interviews and panels of experts, seven print and online free newspapers that were launched in Galicia in the last five years. Results. The landscape of free newspapers has changed markedly and their promoters have followed four different strategies: maintenance of print and digital formats; closure of the newspapers; integration of paid-for modalities; and survival in the digital platform. In addition, there are small local newspaper initiatives such as Lindeiros. Conclusions. It seems that the free press is still unsure about what is its preferred dissemination platform and that the proximity markets seem to be suitable spaces for this type of press.