The Govanhill Newsroom is opening - combining investigative journalism, and an open door to its locality's stories

Part of our vision for CANs, and one of the collective structures we believe they can get off the ground, is to create their own media. And with each media initiative able to link up with others through networks, to begin to create an alternative media system.

We’re delighted to find exactly this, in microcosm, with the Govanhill Newsroom in Glasgow - a collaboration between local magazine Greater Govanhill, and the highly acclaimed investigative journalist outlet The Ferret.

As the film above reveals, the two initiatives have collaborated to secure a property in the area - providing an actual (not just virtual) base for the Ferret (for the first time), but also with a vision for a more responsive journalism. Their crowdfunding page puts it this way:

We believe in doing journalism differently. We want to do journalism that serves the community and brings about positive change. A huge part of that is being open, approachable and inclusive. 

That's why we're excited to open 'The Community Newsroom' right in the heart of Govanhill. The project is a collaboration between Greater Govanhill community magazine and investigative journalism outlet, The Ferret - whose Glasgow staff will share our newsroom while the organisation continues its work across Scotland. This will be the first ever office space for both partners. 

It's in a prime location, just off Victoria Road in the Southside of Glasgow. It will allow us to have a space that we can collaboratively work, host events, workshops and drop-in sessions for members of the community who want to share their own stories. 

We see it as a hub for community building and a space for sharing of stories, ideas, and perspectives. It will be an innovative space for hyperlocal, community based journalism to collaborate with rigorous investigative journalism; not seen anywhere else in the country. Our first collaborative project, exploring solutions to health inequalities, is already underway.

They are raising money for this initiative - with over a week to go to hit their £5K. If you are able to, please visit their Crowdfunder page and support them.