Bylines Network - a movement, not a moment
In 2020, against a backdrop of political disenfranchisement and a crisis of trust in traditional media, a new kind of journalism was born in the UK - citizen journalism.
Starting with a single publication, Bylines Network has evolved into a group of 10 UK national and regional titles. Taking inspiration from our ally, Byline Times, we have created a powerful bottom-up alternative to traditional regional journalism, corporate-owned news, and post-truth social media
Each of our titles is led by an editorial team representing the towns, cities and areas their publication covers. Through outreach, high editorial standards, a focus on topics that matter to everyday people, and intrepid investigation of local, national and global stories, the network has forged a reputation for truth, quality writing and invigorating democracy.
In just five years, the Bylines Network has racked up 18,000 articles, been read 19 million times, and empowered 2,000 citizens to speak truth to power. Every month, we publish 380 new articles, telling stories that need to be told, championing voices the mainstream media ignores, and bringing truly independent, well-written, fact-based journalism to the world.
We are a force for good, providing fearless grassroots reporting and progressive analysis.
Free from oligarch ownership, corporate control and political influence, we are proudly independent and not-for-profit. Driven by volunteers and committed to news quality, we demonstrate democracy in action, champion unheard voices, and connect communities.
Bylines Network is more than a collection of publications. It’s a movement of participatory democracy, empowering ordinary people to become journalists and creating a generation of storytellers who can speak truth to power.
Subscribe for free, read the best of Bylines
Substack is the home of our primary newsletter, sharing excellent Bylines writing with subscribers every month. Join us here, for free, and you have access to our monthly Best of Bylines newsletter and regular Bylines Network Gazettes, featuring the best citizen journalism from our ten UK national and regional publications. You will also have access to all our free-to-read articles and features.
A paid subscription supports our citizen journalism community
If you choose to become a paid subscriber (thank you!) you get all the above as well as premium articles from the Bylines Network Gazette, written by guest writers or showcasing exclusive stories, and access to all our audio recordings and podcasts. You also become part of our citizen community, receiving our newsletters before anyone else, able to comment on articles and chat with other subscribers, writers, editors, and guests. In addition, you get full access to exclusive special release articles, webinars and other content, including our substack archive.
Other ways to support powerful citizen journalism
Bylines Network is completely independent – no oligarch ownership, no billionaire backers, no political paymasters. Without people like you, we can’t investigate, research, write and publish our powerful citizen journalism.
A paid Substack subscription will help us continue and grow our work. A donation to our crowdfunder helps cover our ever-growing overheads and start new projects or special investigations. A regular monthly donation will pay for the ongoing training and support our journalists, editors, and other volunteers need.
The simplest way to support us is by signing up for easyfundraising, which will make donations to us every time you shop. How does it work? Watch this to find out.
Stay up-to-date
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Join the movement
Be part of a community of people who share your interests. Participate in the comments section, or support this work with a subscription.
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