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New bi-monthly to ‘give a voice’ to readers

A new bi-monthly title has pledged to “hold power to account and give a voice to people” in the city in which it was founded.

The Bristol Cable has been set up as a media co-operative, publishing both in print and online, which will also hold live debates and media training events as part of its operation.

The Cable was established after founder members received a £1,500 grant from Co-operatives UK, followed by a further £3,300 raised between more than 100 supporters.

While none of those involved in the project have a background in the regional press, the founders put on 35 hours of free media workshops attended by more than 300 people ahead of its launch this month.

Bristol cable- front page

Alon Aviram, Cable co-founder and a content coordinator, said: “In summer 2013 a few of us came up with the idea to try and create a co-operatively owned and produced paper that was prepared and able to hold power to account and give a voice to people across the city.

“There are plenty of issues that are not being investigated on a city level, from local workplaces to schools and City Council.

“As local media outlets fold and staff get cut, we’re increasingly seeing those remaining publishing solely lifestyle and culture reviews in a bid to attract advertising or just simply recycling press releases.

“In light of this, The Bristol Cable is committed to looking into issues behind the daily news in multimedia, from local investigations to histories and live debates.”

To fund the title, which is distributed for free, the Cable is aiming to generate advertising revenue as well as offering a £1 per month membership scheme, with members being given a say in how the paper is run.

In 2011 a series of new hyperlocal titles were launched across the city and surrounding area by former Bristol Post assistant editor Richard Coulter.