Could a co-operative save Tribune?
Friday, October 10, 2008
Troubled magazine of the Labour movement, Tribune, is considering a co-operative option of ownership to rescue it from closure.
The Co-operative News and the Morning Star are both examples of co-operatively owned publications with a reader membership. So the model works - it's just whether a co-op can attract members and put the business back into the black financially.
Editor Chris McLaughlin said: "Many readers, hearing of Tribune’s plight, have contacted pledging support through donations. One way forward could be to attract fixed contributions of say £500 as part of a new co-operative ownership. But we need to know whether the level of support would be sufficient to sustain viability.
"So I appeal now to readers who would be interested in principle to let us know as quickly as possible and to seek a similar commitment from friends in the labour movement and beyond.
"A co-operative would be an attractive option but we must also consider seriously any appropriate commercial bid. The biggest problem we have is time."
Contact Chris on mail@tribunemagazine.co.uk or comment on their website to pledge your interest.
The Co-operative News and the Morning Star are both examples of co-operatively owned publications with a reader membership. So the model works - it's just whether a co-op can attract members and put the business back into the black financially.
Editor Chris McLaughlin said: "Many readers, hearing of Tribune’s plight, have contacted pledging support through donations. One way forward could be to attract fixed contributions of say £500 as part of a new co-operative ownership. But we need to know whether the level of support would be sufficient to sustain viability.
"So I appeal now to readers who would be interested in principle to let us know as quickly as possible and to seek a similar commitment from friends in the labour movement and beyond.
"A co-operative would be an attractive option but we must also consider seriously any appropriate commercial bid. The biggest problem we have is time."
Contact Chris on mail@tribunemagazine.co.uk or comment on their website to pledge your interest.
Labels: Labour Party, trade unions, Tribune
