April 2017: The New Internationalist has become a community owned media company owned by thousands of readers, friends and supporters across the world. Launched via crowdfunder, the biggest ever media community share offer saw 3,409 people from more than 40 countries invest over £700,000 (US$870,000) in the New Internationalist’s future.
Video launching the Community Share Offer – with Emma Thompson.
Forty five years and counting – Remarks by Peter Adamson at the launch of the Community Share Offer, Modern Art, Oxford, March 6th, 2017
History
Peter and Lesley Adamson founded The Internationalist in 1970 as a three-times a year magazine for the 15,000 student members of Third World First. Its purpose was to involve students in knowing more about the political and economic causes of world poverty.
In 1972, the magazine was re-named the New Internationalist and re-launched as a monthly aimed at a wider audience.
In the 1970s and 80s, the New Internationalist ran many campaigns against specific injustices – such as the irresponsible marketing of infant formula in poor countries – as well as reporting regularly on ‘the people the ideas and the action in the struggle for world development.’
Meanwhile the founders decided that it would be more in keeping with the ethos of the magazine if it were to be restructured as a co-operative. Peter and Lesley Adamson therefore donated all shares in New Internationalist Ltd. to the NI employee co-operative.
In addition to the United Nations Association Media Peace Prize and the Paul Hoffman Award for ‘outstandingly significant work in national and international development’, the New Internationalist has seven times been awarded the Independent Press Award for Best International Coverage.
As the New Internationalist approaches its 50th anniversary, here is what the NI website has to say about the group’s work today:
“New Internationalist is a multi-award winning, independent, non-profit media co-operative. For over 40 years, we’ve specialized in investigative reporting, publishing our magazine and books on human rights, politics, social and environmental justice.
We have no media mogul or corporate advertisers influencing what we do. We are totally independent and non-profit, funded mainly by subscriptions and donations.
What we do
Through our magazine, magazine app, publications, e-books, website and social media we investigate global injustice and expose inequality. We cover stories the mainstream media sidestep and provide alternative perspectives on today’s global critical issues.
Working with our international network of writers, bloggers, campaigners and others we tell unreported stories from the Global South and help readers make sense of our complex and changing world. Our aim is to give readers real insight, sharp analysis and in-depth global coverage of today’s most challenging issues – from democracy in a digital era and fracking, to whistle-blowing and migration – and what actions they can take. As part of a global movement our mission is to create a fairer, more sustainable future.
- University workshops: we aim to stimulate debate on global justice issues through workshops and seminars and inspire young people to take action for positive change.
- Ethical online shops: we run these for our customers and other organizations (including Amnesty International and Friends of the Earth) – supporting fair trade producers, ethical and eco-suppliers across the world.
- High quality and distinctive services: we provide design, editorial, marketing and web services to other ethical organizations.