How to start and publish an independent Newspaper

Free Republic ^ | 09/21/2003 | Chad Fairbanks

[Chad Fairbanks]

So, there you have it - a few ideas that will hopefully spark some discussion, ideas, activism, and information.

This is an ongoing work in progress, and is in no way complete.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Ping!

[Chad Fairbanks]

An Idea Ping...

[cyborg]

I like this. Every so often a useful idiot from the Many Races Foundation puts a newsletter in my door. The hucksters are making millions being political rabble rousers.

Aside from that, I have a lot of things and pictures I'd like to put down on paper. Thanks for this thread.

[Chad Fairbanks]

You are welcome - any ideas, etc... are certainly welcome, as well!

[firewalk]

bttt

[Maigrey]

Another thing you should keep in mind is the focus of the paper in question.

For instance, who will be the bulk of the audience? Which socio-economic group? Will the paper fill a niche in the community, or will be a broad-based news media outlet?

Another thing to consider will be: how are you going to get writers for the paper? College students on a per-word basis, interns, or community members who submit articles on consignment?

Another issue: will the paper be a free paper, dependent on the advertising rates to pay for the costs, or will subscribers/fee pay cover part of the costs? Also, will there be more than one form of the paper (such as online)? Will this be subscription or a freebie?

Finally, How can you generate enough venture capital to invest in the startup costs of the paper? Investors, private donations from charity gropus, or another method? This should be in the business plan.

Finally, for the liberal freaks who steal papers in an effort to prevent the news from being disseminated, there are laws on the books for this form of misbehavior. I know they vary from state to state, but I think it comes down to the cost of the paper per issue for determining the level of the theft charge. I'll have to check further for information.

[wizardoz]

bump & bkmk

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for the input - There are so many variables that need to be kept in mind for a venture such as this. I know there are conservatives out there who have done things such as this in colleges around the country, so I'm hoping to draw upon the wealth of experience out there...

I'm in the 'research' phase for this right now, and I know that FReepers are a great source of information (as your reply shows)...

[Noachian]

What are the legal issues involved?

This is a good question – one that I have relatively few answers for

The legal thing is the part that would worry me most. Each city has an alternate newspaper, and they have three things in common: they're left wing, they're full of ads, and they never get sued.

I've seen some outrageous reporting in alternate newspapers, but these left wing papers get a pass on whatever they say and no advertisers pull away from them.

I'm quite sure a Conservative alternate newspaper wouldn't get the same treatment as a left wing paper. Print one column that "offends" liberals and the liberal double standard would kick in: Advertisers would be pressured to pull out, lawsuits would have to be paid for, and the paper racks would be vandelized.

Feedom of the press is a one-way road to radical liberals, and that's probably why you don't see any Conservative alternate newspapers in the local coffee shop rack.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, because of this threat, do we just roll over and not try? Because by doing that, they win.

You raise good, valid points, but to just give in means we lose by default. SOme things ARE worth fighting for, and our values should be one of them :0)

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

That is a discouraging aspect.

I wonder if adequate use of disclaimers would solve the problem. (Pinging a couple of guys who might have some idea.)

Chad - I also wonder whether talking to or teaming up with someone from one of our two local conservative radio stations might be a good place to start. (Maybe someone here has contact with one of the local hosts.) They deal with a lot of the same issues, I would imagine, and maybe they could give you some good information.

[Libertina]

BTTT LOL You really don't let any grass grow, do you? Now I'm going to go back and read it all :)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, I may goof off a lot, but I do take stuff seriously on occasion LOL...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Well, there has to be a way to solve the problem. Conservative radio stations and web sites probably have the same issues, and they're out there.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Good idea - perhaps, another aspect too is that local host might know of people who can help in other ways, as well. It's certainly worth a shot!

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Call it "The Armadillo Times". ; )

[djf]

Problem is, many of the large circulation mainstream papers are running scared right now...

Internet.

[Libertina]

three things in common: they're left wing, they're full of ads, and they never get sued
Correct... Unlike Jim Robinson and FR. Now even the Onion is pitching a hissy for posting and discussing their articles once in a while... However, since WE'LL be doing the publishing I think we can forge ahead.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Not just the internet, but also because they pretty much suck.

The option also exists for this to be done online as well. This idea is certainly not limited to just actual print media, but online as well :0)