'Don’t make your news limited’ - appeal

One of Sydney’s last remaining independent newspapers City Hub has launched a crowdfunding campaign in a desperate bid to stay in business.

“City Hub has survived two long decades but in light of recent rising costs and decreasing revenues, the paper now needs your help,” the free weekly newspaper told its readers this week.  City Hub says it needs to raise $50,000 over the next six weeks in its ‘Don’t Make Your News Limited’ campaign on the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform to ‘ensure the future of the publication.’

Publisher Lawrence Gibbons says independent news coverage in Sydney is absolutely vital to the community and there are countless stories that need to be told.

“As the government prepares to privatise publicly owned utilities, as more and more publicly owned land is sold off to developers, as more and more dwellings are crammed into our already densely populated inner city neighbourhoods without the infrastructure to support them, as the state government prepares to merge small and accountable local councils into massive, soulless urban bureaucracies, the need for fearless, independent news coverage is more vital than ever,” said Gibbons.

The paper hopes to replicate last year’s successful crowdfunding campaign by Sydney’s Star Observer newspaper that raised over $100,000 to fund the restructuring of the paper after 35 years as a not-for-profit publication.

“Australia is the most consolidated media market in the free world,” said City Hub’s Indiegogo page.  “One publisher, Rupert Murdoch controls 57% of all daily newspaper distribution in the country.  No other western democracy has allowed so many media assets to be controlled by one corporation. For 20 years the City Hub has provided an independent alternative to the mainstream media.  And we need your help.

“Local newsrooms are struggling around the world. In recent years many local newspapers have disappeared from Sydney’s streets. In the face of diminishing advertising revenues, Australia’s media chain gangs have gutted their news staffs, substantially diminishing their ability to cover local news stories. Australia’s state owned broadcaster, the ABC has faced similar budget cuts, eliminating programs that once provided essential state and local news coverage. Across all media platforms, local news coverage in Sydney is becoming more and more scarce.

“In the face of shrinking print advertising revenues and a shift to less lucrative local digital platforms, we are seeking new revenue streams in order to keep our doors open. We need to support of the local community that we serve to ensure that Sydney has a fearless, independent community news outlet.”

City Hub is providing rewards to contributors who show their support, with local businesses pitching in to offer over 100 different giveaways.  After eight days, the campaign has so far raised $1.065, with 43 days to go to reach its funding goal of $50,000.  The crowdfunding campaign can be accessed here: