How to start and publish an independent Newspaper

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

[Chad Fairbanks]

I will keep you posted. I'm going to start work on a plan, submit it for comments etc... then, I guess we'll see :0)

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thank YOU, and you are, of course, most welcome!

[Chad Fairbanks]

How about a Blog in printer friendly format?

That would be a good idea, but there are so many blogs already out there - heck, even my kids have blogs - so I don't know if that would have much impact...

[holyscroller]

Focus, focus, focus. The only point in doing this is to educate and inform . If we start wasting space on puzzles, trivia columns, sports, etc. there's nothing to be accomplished by publishing. People can get that stuff anywhere. Let somebody else waste their time and money on blather. FOCUS ON CONTENT WITH VALUE.

[Chad Fairbanks]

I din't necessarily say trivia columns, but rather a few minor things that DO educate, but you point is well taken, and I understand - sometimes too much IS too much :0)

[rwfromkansas]

Make sure to be as anal as you can be about copyright.

You don't want to be sued. Only use royalty-free stock photos for those pictures not taken by you or a staff member unless you get written permission.

Do not reprint written work unless you get written permission or it is in the public domain.

[rwfromkansas]

As for libel, state standards vary, so check your own statutes.

[smith5460]

Another idea for a regional paper would have the main office put together the "national" part of the paper with a fixed format every day.

As the "national" part of the paper is being written and formatted, the local bureaus in each community would put together its "local" part.

When it comes time to actually publish the paper, the local bureaus would put together the "national" and "local" parts and create the actual newspaper for the day.

Each bureau would download the "national" part via website or e-mail, paste the "local" part, the print out the next daily edition of the newspaper.

This way, each bureau's edition would be localized to their communities but also focus on the national news.

P.S. One possible name for the paper: The Daily American

Just a thought

[Bob J]

Thanks a good post but I'm working on broadcast.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Cool... I guess I'll have to ping you when I post my 'How to create and produce a television show' thread ;0)

[Bob J]

Ha! Do that...television is in the plan.

[Chad Fairbanks]

And a good thought - I don't know if I have the energy for a national thing, but you never know what will happen. Thanks for the ideas!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Thanks for your input, rwfromkansas!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, I've signed up for some free workshops via the local public access channel to learn as many aspects of it as I can. FReeper TV LOL

[Sir_Ed]

We had a county-wide monthly here in Grants Pass for a couple of years...it was fun, but grueling.

Ed

[snopercod]

?

[freeangel]

Bump

[joesbucks]

BTW, the most sucessful and actually looked for "freebie" in my area has articles that are written with a certain "bite" or attitude to them. Among my friends, we say that they "bite the people they write about, but don't leave teeth marks." I know that may be hard to understand unless you know our perspective. I guess the best way to say it is they "make fun" of the establishment and tweak them pretty good but leave them with some dignity. It's fun to read but you don't leave feeling like they are vindictive. Check out www.theotherpaper.com for their online version. It's not a political paper, but reports stories that are sometimes off the beaten path or they expose more than what the mainstream press is willing to go.

[Seeking the truth]

Hey Jack, didn't you think of doing this last year?

Maybe you can impart some info here.

[Fearless Flyers]

I believe alternative papers market to young audiences and it’s not necessarily their editorial content that gains the heart of the regular readers. What they have always offered is a calendar of events that promotes the younger generation’s artisans.

Mainstream papers generally publish these calendars once a week on Friday in small sections of the newspaper, by the time Monday rolls around there is hardly a mention of these events in the publications. The calenders the mainstream publish is usually generic and doesn't always offer the diverse artists of the local music scene.

Alternative papers are available all week long and the calendar of events is dispersed throughout the paper. They are cultural papers targeting young audiences who are traditionally viewed as revolutionary.

This is because the younger generation throughout history has wanted to make their own way and be noticed for their own accomplishments that can be easily differentiated from that of their parents.

I believe a conservative alternative is possible today for precisely this reason. The older generation currently in power is decidedly liberal and has been successful in eliminating many of our constitutional freedoms. The alternative that would allow the younger generation to be easily differentiated from their elders would be Constitutional and there has never been a more revolutionary document than our Declaration of Independence.

A publication that embraces and promotes the art of the younger generation, while at the same time educating the public about the Nations founding documents through its editorials, should have the appearance of a true revolutionary and counter culture alterative.