To combat the negative images of poverty portrayed in the media, often referred to as poverty porn, a new film Reporting UK Poverty has been produced by young filmmakers from The Reporters’ Academy in collaboration with the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). Demonisation of the poor is rife in the media. They are blamed for […]
‘Our Sam – The Middleton Man’: Community needed to help bring Middleton’s most famous son back to life
“In ten minutes from the commencement of the havoc the field was an open and almost deserted space. The sun looked down through sultry and motionless air. Several mounds of human being still remained where they had fallen, crushed down and smothered. Some of these still groaning, others with staring eyes, were gasping for breath, […]
Manchester’s property investment boom funded through tax dodging offshore companies and unethical international investment
Towering apartment blocks going up all over Manchester and Salford are evidence of a property investment boom underway in the midst of a housing crisis for many. Research has revealed that this boom is fueled by foreign investment capital channeled through layers of offshore holding companies that allow the lucky few involved to avoid paying […]
Hugs conquer hate in Manchester
Sitting and watching Sarah Whitehead and her team of volunteers giving out free hugs, it became clear to me that the spirit of this city will not be broken. Mancunians were visibly embracing the advice of poet Tony Walsh when he said “Choose love Manchester” at a vigil to those killed and injured in the […]
Al Nakba 1948 : Manchester remembers the ethnic cleansing of Palestine
In 1948 a massive humanitarian disaster began when around 750,000 Palestinian Arabs were expelled from British Mandate Palestine by the actions of Israeli forces during the creation of the state of Israel. On the 13-14 May Manchester Palestine Action (MPA) commemorated those events, calling for solidarity and support from individuals and organisations to bring an […]
It beggars belief: Rochdale Council plans to punish the homeless and restrict civil liberties
Rochdale Council are proposing sweeping new laws that will force homeless people to pay fines for begging and also restrict freedom of expression by fining the distribution of unauthorised printed materials and leaflets. The proposals, which are still open to limited public consultation, have been condemned by human rights charity Liberty as a “staggering misuse […]
Squatter activists vow to carry on the struggle if evicted from the Cornerhouse
Squatter activists occupying the old Cornerhouse cinema building near Oxford Road Station have vowed to resist any future eviction attempt, after thwarting an eviction on the 25 April, which saw the roads around the Cornerhouse closed down. The activists are holding their ground to offer shelter, support and advice to homeless people in the previously […]
Free autonomous art festival at old Cornerhouse holds finale event this weekend
An autonomous art collective named Loose Space has been running a free arts festival from the old Cornerhouse building in Manchester City Centre for the past two weeks. The festival culminates on Saturday 1 April with a ‘Mystik Masquerade’ ball. The iconic building, which is owned by Network Rail, has been left vacant since the […]
‘The Meteor Has Landed’ – and wants to hear from you
The Meteor: Manchester’s Alternative Media held its first public event on 24 Feb 2017. Bringing people of Manchester together around films, spoken word and music, the night blended both ancient and modern forms of storytelling to explore media related issues from global to local. A counterweight to mainstream media The Meteor, which is the official […]
North West tops the tables for paramedic shortages
The North West has the largest shortfall of paramedics in England, according to figures released by the NHS due to a freedom of information request from the Labour Party. This latest shortage adds to the lack of doctors, nurses and most importantly funding that besets our crisis ridden NHS. New information released shows that in […]