Published September 21, 2010

This billboard for the hyperlocal network CentralMassNews.com appears to take a jab at the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, which recently started charging for some online content. (Andrew Phelps/WBUR)

You’ll recall the Worcester Telegram & Gazette — this region’s largest source of original local journalism — erected a partial metered paywall last month (which I subsequently tried to explain).

Now it seems the hyperlocal aggregator network CentralMassNews.com is capitalizing on the unpopularity of that decision with readers, who apparently expect the news is and always should be free. A billboard on Shrewsbury Street declares, “Never pay for news again!”

Unfortunately, as you hear us say during pledge drives, the news is expensive. I find the farthest west I travel, the harder it is to find diverse sources of news and information. I am spoiled by Boston’s two newspapers, alt weeklies, broadcast media — and the bloggers and aggregators who are equally important in helping me parse the news. Boston’s media market may be shrinking, but Worcester feels like a desert.

Then again, it could be I just don’t know what’s out here. Central Bay Staters, where do you get news and information? Who should I follow? What should I read?