Great Central Gazette Leicester’s Co-operative Newspaper
Calls to support a NEW Leicester-based cooperative newspaper
The UK’s newest cooperative newspaper, the Great Central Gazette, aims to be funded by the people, for the people. With an initial target of £2,500, the team of local people behind the not-for-profit newspaper have created a tiered rewards-based system for their fundraising campaign, hosted on Crowdfunder UK.
Eager backers who invest in The Gazette will receive everything from a social media shoutout to a limited edition t-shirt, and even tickets to their launch party and upcoming workshops.
The crowdfunder launched on Monday 3rd October.
About The Gazette
The Great Central Gazette is a new, not-for-profit newspaper based in Leicester. Set to launch online in 2023 and later in print, the team behind the newspaper include passionate journalists who want to challenge the current industry.
One of the co-founders, Reece Stafferton, recently spoke about the journalism sector and how it fails to represent the people.
“Journalism is one of the least trusted professions in the country.
“That’s exacerbated by the fact that five or six major companies dominate local newspapers. They don’t tell relevant stories about the communities they serve, particularly under-represented, marginalised and disadvantaged people.
“As a cooperative, everyone can become a part owner of the business and have a say in how we run.”
This cutting-edge approach was developed in response to the click-bait happy and sensationalist publications that dominate modern journalism. The Gazette’s mission is simply: to be independent, publish high-quality reports and represent the people.
Whereas other newspapers rely on advertising and promotional partnerships to operate, The Gazette aims to develop a symbiotic relationship with readers through an innovative pledge system.
Read more: the story of the Great Central Gazette in full
Rewards-based crowdfunding to get started
Continuing The Gazette’s pledge to give back to the community, their crowdfunding model offers six tiers of exciting rewards. Starting at £5, which includes public recognition on their website and social media, the tiers go up to £275 or more.
The rewards include a place in their ‘Behind the Newsroom’ chatroom, a limited edition t-shirt, an invitation to their launch party and finally, a tailored workshop and bespoke training for community groups and other independent media outlets who are looking to get started.
The Gazette’s pledge system focuses on getting involved in the cooperative, perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about journalism – or simply support a new, independent newspaper.
Reece also reflected on why a not-for-profit approach is so important to The Gazette team.
“We want to focus on citizen-led multimedia and investigative journalism. There isn’t room for online ads, clickbait headlines and obsessive sensationalism at The Gazette. We’re going to do things differently. Only true, reader-funded investigative journalism can make genuine change.”
“People who join the membership will get the very best reporting from The Gazette, with a healthy dose of news, features, interviews, opinions and more. What’s more, you’ll be supporting a new type of journalism.”
Following the ongoing cost of living crisis, the journalists behind The Gazette want to make high-quality, unbiased and relevant journalism accessible for lower-income families. Their crowd-funding campaign reflects this ethos, with several varying pledge tiers and different ways to support the newspaper.
This will also be reflected in membership, which will launch early 2023.
The Gazette’s upcoming projects and aspirations
The Great Central Gazette are developing several exciting projects and initiatives for the Leicester region.
In a bid to support local creators, The Gazette team is developing the Leicester Media Awards, which will recognise local artists, filmmakers, writers and podcasters. They also intend to engage the community through workshops and create a network of hyperlocal newspapers.
In the journalism industry, as with other creative sectors, many professionals are expected to work for free or for “exposure”. The Gazette will pay all of its freelance writers and contributors a fair rate, a move that will challenge the status quo.
Between their disability-friendly, ad-free website and hopes to encourage local contributors, the team are passionate about inclusion and representation. To support this cause and find out more, see The Great Central Gazette’s crowdfunding campaign, where you can pledge and choose your preferred reward.