Craccum Online Under Question

Craccum’s new online platform has received criticism from readers as they bring up the need to subscribe in order to view stories on Craccum’s new website. Posted on Reddit on 23 March 2025, the account Ambitious-Card9366 brings up the complication of having online exclusive articles accessible to subscribed accounts when a common approach to reading Craccum is due to its printed format being easy to access on campus. On 1 April 2025, the CRACCUM Administration Board (CAB) released a statement via the Craccum Online website addressing the new direction for the student magazine, citing student engagement on campus and the changes in media consumption as some leading reasons as to why this change occurred.

The commentary initially arose on the r/universityofauckland thread, with a post titled “Why gotta subscribe to read online Craccum articles.” The user Ambitious-Card9366 believes it is “damn annoying” to have to subscribe to read online exclusive content when readership for the student magazine is already low. They say they have read the Craccum before, but only a handful of times due to the accessibility of it being in a physical format and on campus. The post finishes up by saying, “Save yourselves Craccum, if you at least want SOME online readers, you gotta make it less complicated.” This post received two comments, one hinting that Craccum may be ‘going down the gutter’, while the other brings up it is most likely due to funding but also a way to gage analytics.

Craccum 2025 created their new website, craccum.co.nz, and shared the news in their ‘Online’ themed printed issue released 17 March 2025. A main reason highlighted by the Editor-in-Chief, Harry Sutton, and Digital Manager, Lee Li, was the opportunity that the website would allow Craccum to release more urgent matters and news at an earlier time. It also allows a format to provide smaller updates on ongoing issues, without having to wait for the fortnightly printed issue. A further goal brought up in the announcement was the aspiration to make more than just articles as the online content, but to include mediums such as short films, dance videos, and even university assignments as features. The subscription element of the website, at the time of publishing, doesn’t hide access to articles anymore.

CAB’s statement says their decision was informed by the declining readership and advertising revenue. They cite print circulation dropping to “…as low as 1,000 copies per issue, many of which remained unclaimed…” This is used to further inform the decision that Craccum will be transitioning to monthly issues in order to reallocate resources to digital content expansion.

While Craccum’s new website still gains traction, it’s important to the process that readers voice their concerns and queries of this new form. But just imagine this: you can now publish your 2am B-minus essay and become recognised as a writer. May I call you Carrie Bradshaw?

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed by authors in their submissions do not necessarily reflect those of Craccum. Craccum does not endorse any content or viewpoints published and is not responsible for the accuracy or reliability of the information provided by contributors.