I hinted yesterday that I would have some big news for you today. Well… I’m delighted to say that we have launched The Source, a new online newspaper for the region - and the new home of Eyes & Ears.
Journalist and broadcaster Steph McGovern, who is investing in The Source, joined me and colleague Simon Rushworth for the launch event at The Catalyst in Newcastle this morning where the crowd was so big we had to send for more coffee.
I have been publishing Eyes & Ears on Substack for the past 20 months and have grown its audience to 2,850 active subscribers. Eyes & Ears will continue as a one-stop-shop for busy people who want to know what is going on in the region. It’s going nowhere.
We needed to grow the business and the launch of The Source is a natural next step, building on the strengths and lessons of The QT and the proven audience for Eyes & Ears.
Independent, politically-neutral but North East biased, The Source will be a modern platform for public interest journalism and a launchpad for the next generation of great storytellers.
It will focus on regional affairs, take an in-depth look at important issues, serve up informed opinion and engaging columnists, and produce quality stories about the people and places that make the North East such a great place to live.
Steph, who hosts The Rest is Money podcast with Robert Peston, said: “As a journalist and proud North Eastern lass, I crave local news that isn’t just clickbait drama. What Brian offers is a smart, insightful and impartial analysis of the news that matters to the people here.”
And she called on people to show their support by either joining her as an SEIS investor, or as a subscriber or donor - there was a Crowdfunder launched. More on that below.
How you can help
Eyes & Ears was successful in obtaining equity funding from the North East Accelerate Fund managed by Mercia. That has given us a base from which to grow the brand into The Source - with Eyes & Ears returning to being a weekly column, as it was in The QT.
The immediate aim is to raise £35,000 to enable The Source to employ a reporter specialising in public-benefit journalism. The financial support will also help us reach a bigger audience and develop the tools and expertise needed to build a sustainable online newspaper.
The first person to join the Crowdfunder was former Guardian regional affairs editor Peter Hetherington (he may still be the only one so far, hint, hint). He said: “This is a venture desperately needed in the North East: a regular source of independent journalism, good writing and information to underpin the ambitions (hopefully) of a mayoral strategic authority, hold it (and the government) to account where necessary, and provide a platform for those with ideas to drive forward the economy. All this while telling good stories.”
By backing The Source, you are not just supporting an online newspaper – you’re helping to build a future where local voices can thrive, communities are better informed, and the North East has a media outlet it can be proud of.
To donate:
www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/thesource
A former Journal editor writes…
Phillip Crawley, who was Editor of The Journal from 1979 to 1987, is also supporting our growth. More recently he was Publisher and CEO of The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, from 1998 to 2023 when he retired. He is currently Chair of The Globe Foundation, and board member of The Globe and Mail.
He said: “Brian Aitken deserves praise and support for fighting to sustain independent journalism in the North East. More than ever, the region needs an authoritative media platform to represent itself. He is filling a gap left by failing media companies. Reliable and insightful coverage is in short supply… Brian is providing it, week after week.”
What’s in a name
The distinctive branding for The Source is down to the talented team at Cravens. Chair Ian Davidson was in the audience this morning and will have been delighted with the ‘Ooos’ that were heard when the brand identity was revealed.
Cravens were an enormous help when it came to choosing the new brand name. We wanted it to be modern and have some regional connection or meaning. Eventually (and that word really is cutting a long story short) we settled on The Source - something that now seems so obvious that we can’t believe we didn’t recognise it sooner.
The Source covers an area between the Tweed and the Tees with two other great rivers inbetween - rivers have sources. Green energy is going to play a huge role in the future of this region - energy has a source. And journalists have sources!
Last word on the launch
We worked with Gateshead College on the launch event. Their students were amazing. Manning the registration desk, stewarding, filming, photography, AV work, they were brilliant and a credit to the college. They also benefitted from some quality time with Steph and Charlie Charlton who had welcomed everyone to the Helix and kicked off a Q&A and comments section at the end.
Our £7bn problem
The crisis of young people not in work or training in the North East is the worst in the country, according to analysis by the Centre for Social Justice. The report, 16-24 Going Under, was produced in association with department store chain Fenwick, which hosted sessions earlier this year to explore the problem.
The report says around a fifth of young people in the North East are classed as NEET - not in education, employment or training - and that is costing the region nearly £7bn in benefits spending, lost tax revenue and public services.
Tom Rawcliffe, researcher at the CSJ said: “The Government should back local leaders with a targeted strike at this crisis. If we can solve the NEETs issue in the North East, we can solve it anywhere.”
Double tragedy
Two 25-year-old men from the North East have died after collapsing during Sunday’s Great North Run. Organiser The Great Run Company said both passed away despite the best efforts of the event’s medical team. The causes of death are not yet known.
Andy Burnham became the first sitting Prime Minister to take on the half marathon, running for Newcastle-based charity Changing Lives.
On the record
Gateshead councillors have been told not to secretly record conversations with Civic Centre officials. All political groups said none of their councillors have been reported over recordings and a council spokesperson said the briefing was not produced in response to a complaint.”
Lib Dem councillor Jonathan Wallace said: “I have been in the council since 1987, coming up to 40 years, and I have never in my time in the council ever received a memo like that.”
Ta-Pastry on the way
Tickets to see the Bayeux Tapestry are sold out but you will soon be able to see the Greggs ‘Ta-Pastry’ which will go on display at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Newcastle from October 24. The eight-metre-long embroidery chronicles the conquest of the British high street by Greggs.
World first
Northumbrian Water is celebrating a world first. It is now the first water company globally to hold both the Service Excellence and Inclusive Service Kitemarks™. Together with its recently achieved Innovation Management Kitemark™, the latest certification means the company has become the first organisation in the world, across any industry, to hold these three BSI Kitemarks™ at the same time.
A quick word
The deputy leader of a Sunderland City Council is stepping down after four months in the role. Daniel Cowie said he made the “difficult decision” after the “rapid deterioration of his father’s health”. Talking of stepping down, North East of England chief executive John McCabe will step down as chair of the North East MSA’s business advisory council when his two-year term ends in January. The Sex Pistols are to play at the O2 City Hall on December 5, exactly 50 years after their gig at the same venue was cancelled. Only Johnny Rotten will be missing from the original line-up and demand for tickets was so great that the concert has had to be moved from the smaller NX venue. Northumberland County Council has agreed a £300,000 cut to its library services. The plan will see more face-to-face services in rural areas, a cut in hours and staff numbers reduced through voluntary redundancies. Amazon is asking the Civil Aviation Authority for permission to expand its drone delivery experiment to cover the whole of Darlington. North East-shot drama I Fought The Law picked up the Best New Drama prize at the National Television Awards. Starring Sheridan Smith, the ITV series told the true story of Ann Ming and her long fight to change the law after her daughter Julie Hogg was murdered. Former councillor Harry Trueman has been nominated to be appointed an Honorary Alderman of the City of Sunderland, following more than 30 years of serving his community. He retired from the council in May. The nine-week Peter Rabbit public art trail across Newcastle and North Tyneside has ended. The 40 sculptures will now be auctioned on October 13 at Newcastle Civic Centre to raise funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. Newcastle’s Discovery Museum recorded more than 28,000 visitors in its busiest August since before the pandemic. A major draw was Things That Go, an exhibition aimed at families with young children.
All the best for the new launch!
Literally great news for the region. Congratulations and best wishes to all involved.