How to start and publish an independent Newspaper

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

[Chad Fairbanks]

I'd prefer avoiding being officially affiliated with any party - it doesn't mean excluding parties completely, mind you... but that's just my own feelings on the matter - others may think otherwise...

Anyone else have any thoughts on this matter?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Don't think that I'm dismissing your idea out of hand, mind you :0)

[Doctor Stochastic]

One type of thing (real easy) that's popular here are short weekly columns with things like "Santa Fé's Winners and Losers" (a short list with one or two sentences per item) and "What People Are Talking About" with one or two sentences. These should only take a few hours to write up and allow quick commentary on timely items.

One advantage is that you don't have to cover breaking news or sports.

Of course, the only relevant items are advertising, advertising, and advertising. Everything else is just to get people to look at (and perchance to read) the ads.

[CyberCowboy777]

We could get support (read distribution) by allowing submissions from the Parties candidates to questions we pose. We would have an objective roll in administrating a Conservative debate in a paper.

We could even ask the dems to participate. Our goal is to get out the real information and ask the tough questions - at the same time interesting the conservative parties to support or at least pass around the paper.

Also would we allow op-ed pieces from candidates?

What about political advertising, clearly marked as such?

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for your input! Much appreciated!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, if "Big Media" can endorse candidates, why couldn't we simply interview candidates, and let people make up their own minds? The idea has some merit, provided we don't lose focus of the objective of what we are doing, and why.

I need to think some more on clearly-marked political advertising - if anyone else has thoughts or comments on that, I'd love to hear them.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for your input - it's very much appreciated. If you have any other ideas, or input, or comments, feel free to share them!

[CyberCowboy777]

Interviewing candidates is important IMNSHO.

The questions the "Big Media" won't ask, the logic the "Big Media" ignores.

But you are right - if we are not careful we would be seen as an extension of the State GOP - they already have a newsletter.

[bigfootbob]

I meant to include you needed a prototype of the product to present to potential partners with my last email, sorry I wasn't clear. The more I think about it, instead of screwing with Vance, go to the County Chairs if they are go-getters, (unlike ex-King County Chair Reed Davis), or target the movers and shakers on each County Executive Boards where you plan to distribute the paper. You'll be surprised at the support you'll receive.

Here in Kitsap, I hear the phrase everyday "that d!$* liberal news." The Bremerton Sun has even instituted a new letters to the editor policy because someone DARED to cut and paste some info from the RNC website and include the truth in a letter!!!! (a high shrieking scream)

We have an on-line conservative website to submit links to. Check out the link and send Mary an email she might have some words of wisdom. There's a Mason County sister site also. http://www.commonsensekitsap.com/

[Doctor Stochastic]

It might be worthwhile to take at least a semesters worth of journalism. Maybe at a community college (cheaper than the big schools.) Or you could try the library for a couple of texts on publishing. Try a GOOGLE search on: publish alternative newspaper, to see if there are any ideas there.

Get a business manager first; check on taxes, salaries, legalities, etc. Even if you don't make any money, it's still a business.

[bigfootbob]

You're right, you don't want to be a mouth piece for the R's. You just want their database. It should be designed to be mutually beneficial. Libertarians and most right leaning organizations should be axed for support.

Most would probably jump on board, it's in their interest, doncha think?

[Doctor Stochastic]

There's a website called "Association of Alternative Newsweeklies" that might be of interest.

There are several such papers around here.

The Santa Fé Reporter is a left-leaning general paper.
The Sun is (was?) a new-age back-to-the-Earth oriented paper.
Crosswinds is a left-leaning-organic-food paper from Albuquerque (with at least one right wing columnist.)
The Alibi is a music-arts-food paper from Albuquerque.

Restaurant reviews are another source of articles. Go; eat; write.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for the link - will check it out... :0)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Exactly - we dont' want to be like the big media, we want to do what they don't do - tell the truth, be as fair as possible, and have integrity...

[Chad Fairbanks]

As far as the business side, that's pretty well covered, I think - I've had experience recently in setting up a business. It couldnt' hurt to have others assist in that, however, as things change frequently...

[Chad Fairbanks]

I would think so, but sometimes the parties do things for strange reasons, lacking in logic... However, dong what we can to drum up support can never really hurt us - as long as we don't sell out our principles in order to get support.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I don't know about rest. reviews - seems almost like fluff, to me, and detracts from teh focus. However, if it was a conservative business owner that we interviewed in order to get their perspective on the business climate in their area, that would be close enough, don't ya think? :0)

[Maigrey]

Well, to be perfectly fair, I learned about deadlines while in high school. (I had a really tough coach who ingrained the discipline of punctuality and deadlines. It was well worth it!

By the end of college, you still have most of the kids with clips, and some with more. I'd set the standard a little higher.

[CyberCowboy777]

What about PACs?

Advertising, OP-EDs, cooperation?

The local BIA has a nice little newsletter and they are spending allot of money working in local and state government and elections. They have interested members and those members have employees.

I am sure they would love to get the message out to ‘others’ outside the industry.

We are working on a little database that will allow them to track and contact voters (using the Auditors spreadsheets) who are members or employees of members.

[Maigrey]

I'd love to see that in the local papers. Alas, the mold for the last 200 years has been to print the sensational negative news. I'm waiting for the sensational positive news.