Join the Fight Against Big Tech

Aim

Don’t let Big Tech and billionaires kill local news. Can you help us reach our target of 25 new lifetime members by mid-June?

Just two days before the local elections in Leicestershire, our Facebook account was 'permanently suspended,' effectively banning us from the platform. 

The ban severed our access to the Leicester Gazette's Facebook page and group, which has around 1,700 members. Fortunately, the account has since been restored, with Meta attributing the suspension to an “error” on their part.

But this begs the question: If Facebook can so easily ban us and control our ability to publish our journalism, what does this mean for freedom of expression? How can we trust a platform that has the power to silence us at a moment’s notice?

Can you help us reach our target of 25 new lifetime members by mid-June? We are aiming to raise at least £8,125 to build a people-powered press free from Big Tech – because taking on the world’s largest social media platform is no small feat.

We want to:

• Revive print journalism with a free hard copy newspaper available to pick up across Leicester and Leicestershire.
• Introduce local communities to ethical, decentralised social media platforms like Mastodon and other alternatives, like Bluesky.
• Fund our team and contributors to ensure quality local journalism, free from clickbait and intrusive ads.

Every new lifetime member brings us closer to our target. Even small donations can help reduce the number of members we need to reach our £8,125 goal.

If you value our journalism, no matter where you are in the world, help us forge a future free from the scourge of Big Tech.

The Leicester Gazette is a local, independent newspaper, free to access for all online and soon in print. Our mission is to hold those in power accountable, push for change, and amplify the voices of marginalised communities while finding real solutions to the challenges we face. We publish investigations, news features and human interest stories that go beyond the headlines. Our journalism is fact-based and rigorous, and we prize good writing over clickbait and sensationalism.

We're building on a movement of co-operative media pioneered by West Highland Free Press, the Bristol Cable, Norwich Radical, Manchester Meteor, the Ferret, and Exeter Observer.

Leicester Gazette is run on voluntary and freelance labour, with just one part-time staff member. Despite this, we have been cited in parliament for our investigation into Palantir’s contract with Leicestershire Police, covered both the general and local elections, and hosted several community events.

“The Gazette's co-operative, not-for-profit model is breaking new ground and working to fill the gap left by the decline of traditional media.”

NICK CARTER, FORMER EDITOR, LEICESTER MERCURY

“Local news is being decimated, but it's vital to democracy. We need to get the truth out there, so support The Gazette.”

PETER JUKES, EXECUTIVE EDITOR, BYLINE TIMES

Rhys is a reporter and community organiser whose work has appeared in Private Eye and Byline Times. Their investigation into Palantir's contract with Leicestershire Police was cited in parliament.

Emma is an investigative reporter and has previously written for Tribune Magazine, The Canary, and EachOther. In 2022, she won Best Co-Host at the Lovie Awards for the podcast Less Than 2 Percent.

Megan is a features writer and podcaster. She produces our multimedia stories and is currently writing her first true crime novel.

How do I donate?

To claim a lifetime membership, click or tap “select reward” under the Lifetime Membership option.

If you prefer to make a standard donation, simply click or tap the “donate” button and enter your desired amount.

Can I pledge anonymously?

When entering your card details at checkout, you'll see a box marked 'Do not display my name'. Tick this box to make your pledge anonymous and hide your username from the public. 

What if I can't afford a lifetime membership?

That's okay, there are still plenty of ways to support us. Even small donations can help reduce the number of members we need to reach our £8,125 goal.

You can also boost our post on Mastodon, encourage friends and family to support us, and spread the word about our campaign.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes, just choose the correct tier above and we'll invoice you the outstanding amount every month until the full amount has been paid.

What is a lifetime member?

A member, but for life! As a co-operative owned by its workers and readers, your support as a lifetime member means paying five years' worth of dues upfront, equivalent to our Patron membership tier. There's nothing to pay after your initial contribution, ever. By joining our co-op, you help keep our reporters on the ground.

Can I contribute if I’m not in Leicester/Leicestershire?

Yes! We welcome support from anyone who values independent journalism, regardless of where you live. Your contribution will help us build a sustainable model for local news that can inspire similar projects elsewhere.

What if you raise more than you're asking for?

If we smash our target, then we'll look at doing the following:

• Increasing the circulation of our print newspaper.
• Setting up our own Mastodon server.
• Commissioning new and emerging writers.

Further FAQs will be added here as we receive feedback from our supporters :)

This project successfully funded on 22nd June 2025