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The Internet has become a great medium for delivering and reading the news, and with news websites and social media such as Facebook and Twitter, the news now comes to you - on your computer, phone, or tablet.

But are you willing to pay to get the news online? Many newspapers are struggling and are exploring ways to make money after seeing a fall in revenue.

Now the Helena Independent Record and several other Lee Newspapers in Montana are following suit. The IR announced on Sunday that the time has come for them to introduce a subscription plan for their digital customers.

The plan, slated to begin on Monday, August 1, will be a metered system that will keep track of how many times a reader clicks on a news story; readers are allowed 15 pages of content for free during any 30 day period on the IR website.

Here is an excerpt of what the Independent Record announced (full story here):

We will not be charging to view the following content online: the front page, classifieds, all advertisements and advertising promotions, special sections, auctions, community calendar or customer service pages.
Webpages that will be charging for viewership - after 15 free views per month - are local, state, national and world news pages; local and regional sports; news accessed by Facebook and Twitter; opinion pages; obituaries; entertainment (except AP wire); health, outdoors, weddings, anniversaries; births, lottery; weather; archives; comments; photo galleries and videos.
A monthly online subscription is $4.99; if you have a print subscription, your online subscription is only $1.99 per month. An annual online subscription is $49.99 per year; or if you have a print subscription, it is only $19.99.

News-hounds have long been able to consume as much news as they want online for free. KXLH.com and other Montana's News Station's websites across the state will continue to offer all of our digital media for free.

Breaking, local, state, and national news that matters the most to you - all free. We have the most advanced weather system with live radar, all free.

With the new KXLH Android/iPhone app, it's now a lot easier to take free continuous news coverage with you. To download it, just go to the Market on your phone and search for KXLH.

Once you have it installed, you'll get news headlines from KXLH.com, sports scores, weather updates, and video optimized for your mobile device - all free.

Don't have an Android or iPhone? Don't worry; you can access KXLH through our mobile site at www.kxlh.com/mobile.

We also provide coverage on our Facebook page and our Twitter feed. Both of those are accessible for free through your regular computer browser and on most smart phones.

And finally, if you want notification when breaking news happens in our area or when severe weather is approaching, you can sign up for the new free KXLH text alerts. It's very simple to sign up; just text KXLHNEWS to 95730.

Thanks for making KXLH.com your source for free online Continuous News Coverage, and let us know in the comments below or on our Facebook page what you think.