Floating an idea... Progressive Newspaper?

[Meldread]

I'm floating the idea of starting a Progressive Newspaper. I subscribe to Dean's belief that Democrats can win and take the South, and that the major problem we have is that the electorate is not informed.

I live in Virginia, and I look around and I have a hard time finding information that is truly Progressive and Liberal. Without the Internet I'd be at a serious loss...

I first floated the idea of an E-Magazine but then dropped it. There is no market for that; the Internet is full of Liberal and Progressive Websites. I think a Newspaper would be best as it will give us the ability to reach people who don't have the internet, and we would have the ability to better target our audience.

If I decide to try this... and I am not all that certain that I will... My goal is to try and circulate it around Washington D.C. and Richmond first. It will start out focused on National and State-wide News. I'd float the paper around there for awhile hoping to gain some traction. The goal isn't to make money; it's to inform people and help organize liberals and progressives. I want to see Virginia fall firmly into the "D" column and stay there.

If I decide to do this and it is successful in Virginia I would like to start-up similar newspapers (focusing on State Wide Issues and National Issues) in other States, primarily focusing on the South.

Is this idea worth pursuing? I believe our biggest problem, as Liberals and Progressives, is that we cannot get our message out to the people. Republicans have so many outlets, and practically dominate the Radio. I believe that if we are going to take our Country back that we are going to have to start from the bottom up. We are going to have to reform our Government at the lowest levels and work our way all the way up to the Presidency, and to even begin to go down that road we are going to need to get out our message.

Is this idea worth pursuing?

[displacedtexan]

1. It worked for the Founding Fathers...

Well worth a shot!

[LiberalEsto]

2. progressive newspaper

Speaking as someone who worked as a journalist for nearly 30 years, I suggest you think about the business costs. Newsprint paper is expensive and finding a printer who will do the work at a reasonable price is not easy. Also, what kind of advertising would support this enterprise? Is there enough potential advertising to sustain this newspaper?

Starting underground papers was much easier in the late 1960s because paper cost far less, and there were more printing businesses around. The first step for you, I think, would be to find out what the startup and continuing costs would be, and find out if you can locate investors for this project.

Finding writers and subject matter will be easy in the DC area (i'm from Maryland and I could find you some people in virtually no time). But what about paying these people?

Another consideration is distribution. Will you sell it or give it away? Where will you make it available for purchase? How will the papers be brought to distribution points?

I worked for a while at a small daily paper here that later went out of business to avoid having to accept a union in the newsroom. I've worked at all kinds of papers, college, underground, weekly, major daily, trade magazines, etc. since 1967 and watched as publications went out of business or merged due to the economic issues.

All that said, I wish you the greatest luck in this if you decide to proceed.

[LizW]

3. It's a terrific idea

and something that is much needed. I do think you'd have to be absolutely driven and open to some unusual ideas to make it work.

There was a little weekly start up paper in my community several years ago, and it was great. It was mainstream news though, and they got crushed when the big daily immediately started doing a local section geared toward the same area.

I'd suggest using any connections you have to lower the costs of printing and distribution. To get started, you're almost going to have to find someone who believes in this as much as you do and will give you a break. You may have to prevail on family and friends to help with distribution at first.

I have had some experience selling advertising for publications, and it is really tough. I was selling incredibly cheap ads to local businesses in a local publication that has a pretty large circulation. You wouldn't believe how resistant businesses were to buying. It got pretty depressing.

I wish you the best of luck, and I wish there was a similar paper in my area.

[Mr_Charlie]

4. umm...I think this idea is already in place.

They're called Alternatives, and exist in every city. http://www.aan.org/

Good luck on your revolutionary idea.