The looks of newsprint are not always the best for displaying your snake, but it IS easy to clean. Another factor is that because it comes in sheets, the snake is not likely to eat it. Another method is paper toweling, which works well I think, especially for very young snakes in small enclosures. If your snakes should ever pick up snake mites, they would be easy to spot. Paper toweling has a better overall appearance than newsprint, and is very absorbent.
Wood shavings are another alternative that are inexpensive and easy to clean.
I recommend shredded aspen or white pine. The drawback to shavings is that they can cause the snake pain if swallowed, which can happen if shavings stick to their prey when the snake is fed. Shavings, or bark, can also be a source of ticks or mites or other parasites for the snake. If you choose to use shavings, buy clean treated ones specifically for pets, and feed your snake in a different enclosure where the chances of them ingesting the shavings are greatly reduced. I would also NOT recommend using corn cob bedding or pelleted paper bedding, for the same reasons as for shavings mentioned above.