Much has been made recently about encouraging investment in Bristol – generally, for big headline-grabbing infrastructure projects.
At the Cable we’ll be investing in the city in a different way over 2018, and we’re not talking about an underground network. Healthcare, education, social services – most would agree that these are public goods which should be free at the point of access. We believe that challenging journalism and quality media is also a public good and needs to be free for everyone in the city. That’s why we are rapidly investing in our membership and reporting.
There’s a lot of work to be done to improve the quality and diversity of our media, and we’re the first to hold up our hands to admit where we fall short. But thanks to the support of each existing and new member, we can create accurate media that doesn’t beat around the bush.
We don’t have to worry about scaring big business clients because we’re entirely owned and produced by 1,850 local people. Each member is investing in a new media for the city.
We simply can’t rely on press releases, advertorials, spin doctors and spokespersons to get the full picture. When powerful forces shape the city’s development, from central government technocrats to unaffordable property developers, we need an equally powerful and bold media to ask challenging questions and provide the space for taking action. If you’re not one already, become a member to help us do that this year.

The Cable team
Support the journalism Bristol needs.
Thanks to the 2,500 members who support the Cable, our in-depth journalism is free for everyone. Together, we empower readers with independent and investigative local reporting. Join us and be a part of Bristol’s reader-owned media cooperative.
Join the Cable
- The Bristol Cable
- The Bristol Cable is media co-operative – created and owned by over 2,500 (and counting) people in the city.
With free events and trainings, a multimedia website and a free quarterly print edition, The Bristol Cable is redefining local journalism through challenging multimedia, community action and cooperative ownership. Online, in print and on the street.
- TheBristolCable
Hiring: Community and Events Organiser
The Bristol Cable is an internationally recognised pioneer in building a new model for journalism. We – 2000 members (and growing) – are changing what local media looks like: in what we produce, how it’s produced, and who owns it.
Edition 16
Edition 16 OUT NOW
Today, we are sending out copies of the magazine out to hundreds of Cable members.
To get yours through the post, become a member and pay £3 or more a month.
Otherwise, copies will be available for free from hundreds of venues across Bristol within the next week or so.
Banner Home Page Film
Why we became Bristol Cable members (and why you should too!)
You can help sustain and grow the UK's only city-wide media co-op!
The Bristol Cable makes media which holds power to account, raises up voices that need to be heard, and trains local people in media skills.
The Bristol Cable wins major grant funding
What this exciting grant means for the Cable, how members got us here, and why it’s still all about membership.
Banner Home Page Edition 12
Edition 12 OUT NOW
It couldn’t be clearer that the media landscape in the UK is seriously broken. Throughout the election period the rightwing press gave a glaring demonstration of their attitude towards fair and accurate reporting.
Podcast
Listen: Sneak peak on Cable Issue 11!
A sneak peak from co-ordinators of issue 11 of the Cable.