No it’s not — all it needs is an email. Just grab a temporary email, and you should be able to read it for free.

• EDIT (2024-03-25T05:39Z): These downvotes are interesting. I never said that there wasn’t an obstacle in the way of reading the article — there is (you have to provide an email) — but it is factually incorrect to say that the obstacle is a “paywall”. Perhaps my comment is being interpereted to say that the issue inconsequential (such a belief would most likely be viewed with contempt here); however, this wasn’t my intent. The solution is relatively straightforward, but I certainly will not deny that it is inconvenient and poor UX.