A recent survey of readers of Newham Voices found that most people really like their local community paper – but some still don’t realise how it’s paid for. In this special interview our Publisher Aidan White explains.

Who is behind Newham Voices?

The paper exists thanks to the hard work and devotion of more than 50 unpaid volunteers from across Newham. They write the stories, take pictures and ensure the paper gets distributed around the Borough.

But who pays for the printing and other costs?

The major part of the money that we need – we spent around £20,000 in our first year – goes on printing and design costs and this comes from donations from a handful of supporters.

I’m the founder and I decided to use some of my retirement money to get the paper off the ground. I’ve donated about £18,000 and that initial funding has been topped up by members of my family who have chipped in another £5,000.

We also have local supporters who pay a few pounds every month – but we need many, many more to keep afloat. That’s not easy in a Borough like Newham where many people struggle to make ends meet.

Why did you start the paper?

I’ve been a journalist for 50 years and I used to work on the old Stratford Express before moving to The Guardian and then abroad for 30 years.

When I came back to Newham almost ten years ago I realised people were missing out on useful community news because of the collapse of local papers – even the Newham Recorder is a shadow of its former self!

I realised that relying on the council’s Newham Mag would only give a single point of view, so with some wonderful volunteers we got together and launched Newham Voices.

We didn’t want to just be the same as other papers – but we did want to look and be as professional as any other paper in Britain. That’s what our readers like.

What makes Newham Voices different?

It’s not like traditional media, full of gloom and doom. Nor is it representing only one point of view. We try to focus on the creative, diverse and positive sides to local life. And we believe in telling all sides of a story.

We’re not afraid to point out when things are going wrong and that means some people might think we’re biased. But we’re independent and not politically attached. We do hate haters though!

I’ve been told we’re too pro-Labour, others tell me we’re anti-council but we are neither.

We just try to be honest and fair. We admit our mistakes. We give a voice to people who don’t always get heard. That’s what a good local paper should do.

We might be old school in the sense we stand up for ethics in journalism and transparency in public life, but we’re modern and youthful in our approach – particularly thanks to our Youth Voices team! We have a great following on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

What can I do to help?

I have invested in Newham Voices because I wanted to get it off the ground, but obvijously that is not sustainable for the future. We need all the help we can get. Anyone in the community can join our supporters group. If you can afford to donate regularly please do – every little helps!

We don’t get cash grants from the council or from other public institutions or private companies. We rely on some advertising and mostly on cash support from individuals within the community. So please do what you can to help!

Please scan the code on our front page to make a donation or contact info@newhamvoices.co.uk for other ways to support.

aidan.white@newhamvoices.co.uk

Or give me a call 07946 291 511

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

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£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.