Key facts
- Dale Vince plans to launch a London-wide news operation.
- The operation aims to counter perceived rightwing bias in UK media.
- Vince will invest in the Camden New Journal, Islington Tribune, and Westminster Extra.
- The Westminster edition is intended to cover wider London issues.
- Vince stated his motivation is the impact of local journalism and media bias, not business reasons.
Green energy entrepreneur and Labour donor Dale Vince is planning to launch a London-wide news operation, aiming to counter what he describes as rightwing bias in the UK media. Vince intends to invest in the loss-making group behind the Camden New Journal (CNJ), Islington Tribune, and Westminster Extra, with the goal of revitalizing local journalism.
Vince stated he would invest "whatever it takes" to support the publications and take them "properly digital." He specifically plans to expand the Westminster edition to cover wider London issues, potentially renaming it to reflect its larger audience. This initiative comes amid a broader struggle for local newsrooms in London, with major publications like the Evening Standard shutting down their daily editions and other freesheets failing.