The Positive News team celebrates four editions in the new format as a quarterly magazine

On Thursday evening, 13 October, we gathered with Positive News co-owners and subscribers to celebrate one year in print as a magazine.

With the four issues we’ve created this year lining the walls of a room at the British Film Institute (BFI), and the air thick with conversation and celebration, we felt proud and grateful to you – our growing community – for helping us create and sustain a more inspiring and empowering kind of media.

More than a year ago now, 1,526 readers and journalists from 33 countries supported our ambition of making Positive News the first global media co-operative established by issuing ‘community shares’ through crowdfunding.

Last night, squeezing in to the Drawing Room of the BFI with some of our readers and co-owners, we launched the fourth issue of the new magazine. It was a chance to recognise how far we had come since our #OwnTheMedia crowdfunding campaign, and to celebrate the inspirational people who have filled our pages with their experiences and ideas.

Among the many articles published in the four magazine issues, we have explored the global happiness movement; discovered how domestic workers around the world are reclaiming their rights, and, most recently, met those working to preserve the world’s endangered languages. We have provided constructive angles on issues such as the future of democracy, multiculturalism in the UK, and how to tackle terrorism. And we’ve brought you diverse, inspiring news such as how small businesses are uniting for a fairer tax system; breakthroughs in efforts to prevent Alzheimer’s; and the community projects providing homes and help for refugees.

From rigorous quality journalism to our attention grabbing covers, our magazine makes news beautiful.

One subscriber who came along to the event, Priscilla Silcock, explained how a difficult time encouraged her to improve her media diet. “I joined Positive News because I know that changing the words and images I surround myself with would make a difference in my life. Traditional media was a source of anxiety, even despair, for me and I was craving a reliable source with a positive focus. I hope this is the beginning of a movement that can spread internationally to benefit as many people as possible.”  

Another supporter, Jessica Smulders Cohen, rediscovered Positive News while studying for an MA in sustainable design, and has been “championing it ever since”.

“I began to think about how we needed to find a new way to inspire people. Scaremongering just doesn’t work. I am quite a positive person but I was getting down about the state of the world. I think people want to contribute to improving things and hear about what is going well.”

We’re proud of the magazine as a beautiful showcase of constructive journalism

Our editor-in-chief, Sean Dagan Wood, reflected on the milestone.

“We’ve undergone a big transformation in the past year,” he said, “and been really pleased with the response. We’re proud of the magazine as a beautiful showcase of constructive journalism. With our ownership structure as a community benefit society underpinning this, we have set strong foundations.

“But we’re just at the beginning of our journey as a media co-operative. We are still evolving our business model, and while continuing to focus on reaching more people with our journalism, we’re looking forward to now developing ways for our global community to get more involved.

“It was great last night to meet co-owners, subscribers and supporters, to celebrate, discover what our journalism means to them, and hear their ideas. There is much more still to come, and we’re incredibly grateful for our community’s passionate support.”

In April, we met with Michael Møller, director general at the United Nations Office at Geneva, along with the editors of some of the UK’s largest mainstream media organisations, to discuss the opportunity for a more solutions-focused approach in the media and to hear why the UN was endorsing this. Meanwhile, through our media training workshops, we have been introducing more students, journalists, editors and news organisations to the theories and practices of constructive journalism. Things are changing, and we see you – our co-owners and supporters – as pioneers in this bid to make the media more balanced and useful. 

There remains much work to do and more than ever, we need your help in spreading the word about Positive News and encouraging people to subscribe.

One thing is for sure – to echo the strapline for our latest issue – there are many more stories to come about how #OurWorldIsBeautiful.

Photography by Alexander Walker

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The new edition of Positive News magazine is a powerful celebration of words. With half of the world’s 7,000 languages set to vanish by the end of the century, the cover feature reveals how words are treasure troves of cultural diversity, and profiles the people working to document and protect them before it’s too late.

A special cover was commissioned for the issue, featuring inspiring words from endangered languages embossed in silver foil.

“As a magazine, words are the core of our craft; so we wanted to take the opportunity to actively preserve language ourselves,” says editor-in-chief Seán Dagan Wood. “We did this on the cover by visually celebrating words that reflect the positive approach of our publication. It’s a cover of beautiful words that encapsulate the magazine’s aim of making news beautiful.”

Our cover of beautiful words encapsulates the magazine’s aim of making news beautiful

Mandana Seyfeddinipur is director of the SOAS World Languages Institute and Endangered Languages Documentation Programme and was interviewed for the feature. She welcomed the magazine’s focus on the subject: “Positive News’ work shows the issue humanity is facing as our world’s languages fall silent at a dramatic speed, but at the same time it highlights how speakers themselves are stemming the tide – a perspective we need more of.”

The magazine cover, designed by Studio Blackburn, features words such as the Inuktitut word Piliriqatigiinniq, which means togetherness and community spirit; the Native American Lakota word, Woohitike, meaning the brave and courageous spirit that lies in every person, and Fago, used in the native language of the small Pacific Island of Ifaluk, which describes the combination of sorrow and optimism found in human compassion.

Studio Blackburn founder, Paul Blackburn, says: “Somehow the knowledge that these words have been printed and preserved on thousands of magazine covers is a small but positive achievement towards their preservation.”

To celebrate the magazine’s launch, Positive News’ #OurWorldIsBeautiful campaign seeks a bold reshaping of dominant media narratives. While the news is often told with ugly or divisive language, Positive News reports through a lens of progress and possibility, covering solutions while retaining a rigorous journalistic mindset.

Positive News is a pioneering media co-operative that publishes ‘constructive journalism’, a field that is growing rapidly as understanding grows about the impact of news on our perspectives, wellbeing and levels of engagement in society.

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Positive News is now owned by 1,526 readers, journalists and supporters from 33 countries following a successful crowdfunding campaign. With the aims of raising investment to grow and become financially sustainable, while also creating an inspiring ownership structure, our 30-day #OwnTheMedia campaign enabled people to buy ‘community shares’ in Positive News.

The campaign ran from 8 June to 8 July and raised £263,422, surpassing our initial goal of £200,000. Using the online crowdfunding platform Crowdfunder. co.uk, people worldwide invested – from Mexico to New Zealand – ranging in age from 18 to 89.

With the minimum investment level set at £50, shareholders have an equal vote in the co-operative, regardless of how much they invested. Co-owners have the right to vote on matters such as electing the board of directors who represent their interests.

The funding has fuelled Positive News into a new phase, allowing us to put our business plan into action, hire new staff, transition from a newspaper into a magazine and overhaul our website.

Editor-in-chief, Seán Dagan Wood, said: “It took me some time to realise just how special our campaign and achievement was. After 20 years in which Positive News has developed the field of constructive journalism and built an incredibly supportive readership, we now have a movement.

“People are connecting with our vision for a media that is not only more positive, but by being co-operatively owned, is duty bound to work in the best interests of the global community.

“We’re excited to be showcasing a new model for how to carry out and fund journalism in the 21st century, putting social purpose first and trusting in the support of our community. Nurtured for two decades as a grassroots publication, Positive News is emerging from its nest and taking flight at the forefront of media innovation.”

Touching messages of support sent by people during #OwnTheMedia revealed a deep and widespread desire for a more inspiring news media. One investor wrote: “I started buying Positive News for mental health reasons, because I care about what’s going on, but the mainstream media is so negative-dramabiased. There is so much amazing stuff going on in the world right now and it should be reported.”

Another wrote: “The greatest part of it is that this involves each and every one of us! To the beginning of a more balanced and hopeful media. Together we can do this.”

We don’t stop at highlighting a problem, but rather use it as a starting point to ask the question: ‘what now?’

It became clear that people strongly valued the opportunity to have collective ownership of the kind of media they want, knowing that Positive News is now ultimately accountable to them.

“Thank you for the opportunity to become a part of the Positive News story, said one. “Fantastic to discover a community of positive supporters feeling the same.”

A Positive News journalist bought shares on behalf of her soon-to-be-born twins; another new co-owner wrote to say they invested “a chunk of my pension”, while a couple invested together “as an alternative second wedding anniversary present”, and one reader bought shares for every volunteer in his organisation.

The investment enables us to continue pioneering the constructive journalism that we have become known for. Positive News acting editor, Danielle Batist, said the campaign had been an incredibly humbling experience.

“It allowed us to truly collaborate with the people who care most about our work. From simply being an audience, we welcomed our readers on board as equals. By literally buying into our vision, these first pioneering shareholders will enable us to bring our stories to many more people.

“But relaunching doesn’t mean we’re changing our journalistic aims. We don’t stop at highlighting a problem, but rather use it as a starting point to ask the question: ‘what now?’

“We will continue to produce stories about what’s going well and to investigate solutions critically, moving beyond the hero tale. We are collectively embarking on a very exciting journey indeed.”

What are community shares?

These are shares in a business that serves a community purpose. Positive News is a community benefit society, also referred to as a form of co-operative. We serve a ‘community of interest’, which is our audience who support and benefit from our constructive journalism. Community shares are not like normal shares. They still give you the opportunity to share in the success of the organisation you have invested in and have a say in how it is run. However, they give one vote per shareholder, not one vote per share. Secondly, community shares cannot be sold on to someone else (but can be withdrawn). Investors are likely to stay engaged with the business, rather than only being interested in getting a profit.

For more information see our FAQs page.

The post #OwnTheMedia: A blueprint for reader-owned journalism appeared first on Positive News.

Following a 30-day community share offer from 8 June to 8 July, the publication is now co-owned by 1,525 readers, journalists and supporters from 33 countries.

The #OwnTheMedia campaign managed to reach its initial funding goal of £200,000 on Friday 3 June, and has since raised more than £60,000, to bring the final total to £263,422.

Positive News editor-in-chief, Seán Dagan Wood, said: “This is a massive vote of confidence in Positive News and an opportunity to showcase a whole new approach to journalism. The level of investment we have raised, the number of co-owners we now have, and the touching messages of support they have sent us, show a deep and widespread desire for a more inspiring news media. It is also clear that people have really valued the opportunity to have collective ownership of the kind of media they want, knowing it is ultimately accountable to them.

“We’re so grateful to our new co-owners; their investment and passionate support will fuel us into our next phase. We can’t wait to bring them even more of our positive reporting and shine a light on the pathways towards a flourishing world.

“This is a massive vote of confidence in Positive News and an opportunity to showcase a whole new approach to journalism.”

“At a time when the world faces unprecedented challenges, but when people can come together to tackle problems like never before, now is the time for a more constructive news media driven by the people it is there to serve.”

Investors came from all over the world, from Mexico to New Zealand, and ranged from 18 to 89 years old. Some invested online and others via cheque. One Positive News journalist bought shares on behalf of her soon-to-be-born twins, another new co-owner wrote to say they invested “a chunk of my pension”, and one reader bought shares for every volunteer in his organisation.

The money raised will allow the publication to put its new business plan into action, which will include hiring new core team members and overhauling the website and print publication.

With the minimum investment level set at £50, every shareholder will have an equal vote in the new cooperative, no matter how much they invested. They will vote on matters such as electing the board of directors to represent their interests.

The campaign ran on Crowdfunder.co.uk, the UK’s largest crowdfunding platform. Crowdfunder managing director Phil Geraghty said: “Wow. What a campaign. The team at Positive News have truly shown the world how to run a hugely successful community share issue from start to a rather spectacular finish.

“Not only is this important for us at Crowdfunder, marking the start of our community share offers – it’s also a momentous achievement in the media sector, bringing a global news platform to the stage which is entirely owned by the crowd.”

The post Positive News becomes first crowdfunded global media cooperative appeared first on Positive News.

A fantastic 1149 readers, journalists and supporters joined us as co-owners in the past 25 days. Together, you invested £200,000 and helped us reach the target five days early.

We are overwhelmed not just by your hugely generous support but by the many kind and insightful messages you shared from around the world via the crowdfunding page, email, social media, phone, postcards, letters and in person.

Stretch goal

If you are as taken aback by this fast progress as we are and have not yet become a co-owner, there is good news: you can still join. You can invest until Wednesday 8 July 6pm GMT at www.ownthemedia.org.

With five more days to go in the crowdfunding campaign, we are now officially in ‘overfunding mode’. Our stretch goal is £250,000 and every pound of investment will go towards key needs such as employing core staff and investing in developing our content, website and print publication. The more we now raise, the more time and resources we can give ourselves to make Positive News financially sustainable and increase our reach and impact.

Seán Dagan Wood, editor-in-chief of Positive News, said: “To all our new co-owners I want to say a huge and sincere thank you. It is amazing to know that we now have this incredible community at the heart of Positive News, and that you have created the opportunity for Positive News to flourish like never before.

“And it’s not even over. I’m excited to see how far we can take this campaign in the remaining days, and how much more we will then be able to do to give voice to all the inspirational change taking place in the world.”

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In Steve Jobs’ famous university commencement speech before he died, the founder of Apple talked of how he couldn’t connect the dots of his career going forward. It was only on reflection he was able to fully appreciate how each little twist in the road ultimately led him to become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history.

This has stuck with me since I first watched that speech. I’m not as wildly successful as Jobs, nor will I ever be as rich, but I am currently living my longest held ambition – to be a journalist for the national press. Looking back, I can see that my former careers in arts management and teaching English abroad helped to develop the skills that I needed. However, as far as journalism goes, Positive News was my alma mater.

It’s impossible for me to list everything that my internship and consequent employment with Positive News taught me about journalism, but I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. From the importance of networking, to ensuring you get both sides of a story, to looking at press releases with a cynical eye to picking up the phone and talking to people – I learnt the ropes of journalism in an unlikely setting. I say unlikely, because it really was drilled into every journalism student on my MA Newspaper Journalism course that news isn’t news unless it’s bad. I even overheard the journalism lecturers at City University – which is touted as the “bootcamp for Fleet Street” – say things like, “that can’t be the front page splash because good news just isn’t news”. I disagree of course. I believe there are so many great stories to be told, good or bad.

“A good journalist should be able to write movingly about a disaster one day, and then explore solutions in another piece the next. Newspapers can and should show that balance.”

On my first day as a Positive News intern I was asked to start sourcing leads for potential stories. I would scour the web and at first, until I got the hang of it, I would send the ideas to the editor. He would email back with a note to say whether I was on the right lines, or perhaps that we’d covered a story before, or he would ask why I thought a particular story or idea would work for our audience and our style of journalism. I was often asked to really think, is this actually positive? Good news can sometimes be as misleading as the bad.

I quickly picked up what kinds of stories make a news story or feature worthy of further investigation. Even this small task taught me the importance of reading widely as a journalist. When picking up a newspaper you would never read, there’s a surprising amount of stories you can turn on their head and look for the solution to the problem presented – or if it’s something positive, you can start investigating whether it’s a trend.

Some of the articles I have written for Positive News that make me proud are the stories where I looked at a particular problem that was dominating the news and then wrote about the people, or the organisations, trying to solve it. An example of this is the first piece I had published about a film that aimed to highlight the beauty of Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A British corporation, Soco International plc, wanted to explore for oil and it was thought this would not only ruin a precious place but also continue to destabilise the already turbulent region. What makes it stand out for me is that so many other news stories at the time were so focused solely on fear that they missed out on the opportunity to celebrate why this incredible place was worth fighting for in the first place. To top it off I was lucky enough to write the follow up when the corporation decided to pull out and campaigners were rejoicing at their success.

To go from this to the MA was a baptism of fire. I felt conflicted when writing my first ‘negative’ news article. Was I going against my values? What kind of journalist did I want to be? Ultimately I knew I wanted to be the best journalist that I could be, so I decided to embrace the course and learn everything I could from the experience.

Now that I no longer work for Positive News, and am writing for national newspapers such as the Guardian, I do write stories that would never pass the positive test. But there’s definitely balance as well. Some of the features I’ve written explore solutions and there are news articles with constructive elements. I’ve even managed to do some straight positive news stories like how plastic bag usage in Scotland reduced dramatically after the 5p charge was brought in. Even so, I’m happy with the not-so-positive too where I’ve been able to highlight a really important issue that deserves attention.

Like what you’re reading? We want our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Support Positive News by becoming an owner now: www.ownthemedia.org

I believe the role journalism plays in holding power to account is fundamental and that when things go wrong, we should shout about it. Even so I also believe that I shouldn’t have to choose to be either a negative journalist or a positive one. A good journalist should be able to write movingly about a disaster one day, and then explore solutions in another piece the next. Newspapers can and should show that balance.

I still see valuable stories everywhere that I know people would want to read about if only editors would give them an opportunity. The reality is that without Positive News, many amazing stories would never see the light of day, and many other journalists will start their careers not realising that those stories are just as worthy of their attention as the others.

As the team inch closer to their overfunding target, after surpassing their original goal today, it’s worth pointing out that every extra penny they raise will enable them to not only tell these stories but also train new journalists like me to see the news value in them in the first place.

We are inviting our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Become an owner now and help us become the first crowdfunded global media cooperative.

The post How starting out at Positive News changed my views on journalism appeared first on Positive News.

The Huffington Post (UK) and Huff Post Media (US): ‘If it succeeds, it leads’: why the news is changing for good

Positive News editor-in-chief Seán Dagan Wood discusses why the world needs more positive stories.

Journalism.co.uk: Why Positive News wants to become a co-operative

The not-for-profit news organisation looking to take a different angle on world events has raised nearly half of its £200,000 crowdfunding target in a week.

New Internationalist: Purpose before profit?

The question of purpose before profit is something that independent media have been exploring in various ways for some time. Now, Positive News, the world’s longest-established publication dedicated to positive and solutions-focused journalism, is pioneering a new way to finance and run a media business: a crowdfunded media co-operative, owned by its journalists and readers.

The Islington Gazette: Your chance to own Islington media firm

A publication in Islington focused on reporting “positive” news stories has launched a campaign to encourage readers and members of the local community to own shares in the company.

Permaculture Magazine: How a permaculture approach could change the media

As it becomes a global co-operative, we find out why ‘constructive journalism’ publication Positive News believes the media can do more to help create sustainable and thriving societies.

Huffington Post – What’s Working: How Positive News is reinventing itself in order to reimagine journalism

Seán Dagan Wood  is rewriting the popular saying in journalism, “if it bleeds, it leads.”

“If It Succeeds, It Leads,” Wood says. That’s his motto, which he hopes will inspire an entire new wave of journalists.

Press Gazette: Positive journalism title nears £200k crowdfunding target to become a co-operative

Positive News claims that if it hits a £200,000 target on the website Crowdfunder.co.uk by 8 July it will become the world’s first crowdfunded global news media cooperative.

Crowdfunding Websites: Crowdfunding the news – campaign to create a national media cooperative

A campaign on CrowdFunder.co.uk looks set to raise £200,000 in the coming week for a website and online website dedicated to independent “positive” journalism. The company, Positive News, is offering all shareholders a say in how the company is run.

Huff Post – What’s Working: Positive News becomes world’s first crowdfunded global media cooperative

Positive News has become the world’s first crowdfunded global media cooperative, after raising £263,422 in just 30 days with their #OwnTheMedia campaign.

Crowdfunder UK’s first community share issue reaches over £263,000 from 1525 investors

Now offering community shares, Crowdfunder’s first issue, Positive News, has raised £263,000 from its readers, supporters and journalists. The public support for this project reflects the growing trend for social investment across the UK.

Ivoh: Positive News hits milestone as ‘first crowdfunded global media cooperative’

By transforming into a cooperative, Positive News was agreeing to distribute its ownership over thousands of different individuals. They would each have an equal vote in important company affairs, like electing its board of directors and amending its charter.

Locavesting: Crowdfunding boosts community share offerings for local pubs and football clubs

Earlier this month, a media publication called Positive News concluded a 30-day crowdfunding campaign on Crowdfunder.co.uk, the largest rewards-based platform in the U.K. But the 1,500 or so readers, journalists and supporters that together committed £263,422 to the project got something more than rewards: they got ownership.

The Irish Times: Positive News gives readers a say in the kind of journalism it produces

The UK-based publication is using an ethical cooperative model to transform its future.

Medium: Crowdfunding as the future of journalism

It might seem like there’s not much life left in 21st-century journalism, at least to the casual observer. But a look at what’s happening on the grassroots level tells a different story. Innovative and disruptive funding models are emerging, and they show that meaningful reporting can still attract a loyal and supportive audience.

The post #OwnTheMedia in the media appeared first on Positive News.

Crowdfunding is beginning to feel a lot like social media did a decade ago.

It’s been around for a couple of years and still isn’t taken seriously by some people, but it’s forecast to explode and have a massive impact on life as we know it. Like social media, pretty soon it may become so common that it’s a normal part of a lot of people’s jobs and lives.

That could certainly be the case for a lot of journalists. About a year ago I created the website Through the Cracks to follow the impact of crowdfunding on reporters and storytellers. We now have about a dozen journalists in half a dozen countries around the world monitoring crowdfunding in journalism. We’ve followed thousands of campaigns across dozens of platforms and what we’ve seen is amazing. It reinvigorates my hope for the future of journalism.

We’ve seen brand new start-ups earn seed money, independent news outlets become the go-to alternative to state-owned media and freelancers with their own following succeed. We’ve seen innovation and reporting that fills a hole in the media landscape and brings under-reported stories to light.

This isn’t considered an option by everyone yet, nor has it taken roots in every part of the world, but as it grows in acceptance and adoption, we may be in store for some incredible impact.

Its campaign isn’t over yet, but Positive News is now part of that trend, a trend that can come with a deeper relationship between reporter and reader and has the potential to be about a whole lot more than money.

“One of the most exciting things happening in journalism right now is crowdfunding’s ability to empower communities and bring to life stories and storytelling ventures that wouldn’t exist otherwise.”

The other day I was reading a story about news start-ups that made me roll my eyes. There was some new information but for the most part it was an old story, a progress report about Vice, BuzzFeed and the same dozen or so companies I hear about again and again.

I mean, I get lost in BuzzFeed videos sometimes just like everyone else, but it’s not the most exciting thing happening in journalism right now. Not to me.

One of the most exciting things happening in journalism right now is crowdfunding’s ability to empower communities and bring to life stories and storytelling ventures that wouldn’t exist otherwise.

We saw it with hyperlocal Brixton Blog & Bugle, a Sleaford Mods documentary and the swift reaction to #indyref in Scotland that brought funding to news start-ups there. We also saw it when a crowdfunding campaign started by a newspaper raised more than £1,000,000 in a day to rebuild a Manchester dog shelter.

A few weeks ago citizen journalism site Bellingcat used open source tools, citizen journalism and a quick GoFundMe campaign to challenge assertions made by Russia regarding the crash of flight MH17. That’s exciting.

The idea that a community – be it online or geographic, hyperlocal or worldwide – can band together to bring reporting to life or take other collective action at this speed is a new phenomena. In the wake of a tragedy, scandal or years of neglect, people can start to ask questions.

Is the mainstream news avoiding the hard questions? Do they lack ambition or fail to meet the diversity of the community they cover? Do they cover problems but offer no solutions? Do they measure page views but don’t seem to keep track of impact or engagement or strengthening bonds in the community? Do you believe someone should stay on the job after a major environmental catastrophe or the church shootings in South Carolina to ensure the story doesn’t just become forgotten in the churn of the news cycle?

Journalists and communities that identify a need and work with a passionate audience now have options.

Some of these options existed before but not with this ease or speed. With crowdfunding you can test an idea, get the money and be set to go in a matter of days or weeks.

Like what you’re reading? We want our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Support Positive News by becoming an owner now: www.ownthemedia.org

Crowdfunding is set to outpace venture capital spending in 2016, according to industry researcher Massolution. Previous projections by the firm have crowdfunding set to double in size several times over in the coming years. One example of how this might happen is in the US, where on 19 June regulators approved the start of equity crowdfunding, a kind of investment in businesses that people of average income haven’t been able to do since the Great Depression

Community share offers through crowdfunding, as Positive News is doing, is an exciting new idea. It isn’t just investment in a figurative sense because you feel connected to a cause or you get a free T-shirt: you get shares. You can literally own the media. People can invest in positive news or community news or whatever else touches your heart, impacts your life or fits into your investment strategy.

Crowdfunding may not be the silver bullet that cures all that ails journalism, but it’s going to fuel a hell of a lot of experiments and innovation, and we’re just starting to see the ways crowdfunding can fit into a larger strategy, help sustain social or business ventures and bring new ideas into the world.

We are inviting our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Become an owner now and help us become the first crowdfunded global media cooperative.

The post How crowdfunding is revolutionising journalism – and the world appeared first on Positive News.

Despite the many challenges to media business models, it’s striking that so few have looked at the possibility of making readers themselves the people responsible for their futures. For too long, the media relied on advertising to subsidise production costs. That subsidy is in jeopardy, and so either costs are cut or revenues have to rise. The latter is harder to enforce than the former, hence the continual decline of journalists on good contracts.

But what if there was a way to increase revenue by making consumers into active participants? Not people who could just comment here and there before retreating to a safe distance, but actually given meaningful power over the fate of the publication produced in their name?

After all, many publications are like sports teams – people’s affinity for them speaks of their own values and identity. They care about the publications they read, be it news about their hobby, their community or their beliefs.

“Only ownership gives you the responsibility for the publication’s culture and the power to preserve it.”

It seems odd that so few media outlets have recognised the potential here, but then neither have sports been particularly interested either – and that’s because ownership is power, and to share ownership is to share power.

To own the media is to exercise power, and an awful lot of people involved in traditional media are trapped on the horns of a dilemma: they want the power they currently have in that role, but also want the money from their readers and supporters. I’ve seen organisations baulk at this idea, convinced there must be some alternative to making the people formerly known as the readership all-powerful.

Lots of people working in traditional media would say that their readers agree with them and their worldview, and this argument is particularly prolific among those on the receiving end of criticism, such as defendants in the various hacking trials or executives involved in the Leveson Inquiry.

Traditional media relied on the concept of consumer sovereignty, that regardless of who actually owned a publication, the readers were the most important. Yet readership figures have been declining for decades, undermining this very argument and so the media’s cynicism, its partiality, its concern with conflict and heat at the expense of light, seems to be as bad as it’s ever been.

Like what you’re reading? We want our readers to #OwnTheMedia. Support Positive News by becoming an owner now: www.ownthemedia.org

Consumers aren’t, in the end, sovereign – owners are. Only ownership gives you the power to direct the values of a publication. Only ownership gives you the responsibility for the publication’s culture and the power to preserve it. And only Positive News is giving its supporters the opportunity to take this responsibility on.

Positive News has been flying a flag for a different kind of media for years. Now it’s taking that to a whole new level. The media might have taken 20 years to realise there’s a hunger for constructive journalism, but they’ll cotton on much quicker if Positive News gives them a way they can stay alive.

Become a Positive News co-owner here

The post Positive News blazes a trail for media business models appeared first on Positive News.