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Freedom. (Issue reviewed: 27/09/2003, Vol64, #18)

Fortnightly newspaper published by Freedom Press, 84b Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX. 50p at bookshops. Annual subscriptions £10 for claimants, £14 regular, £22 institutional (annual). Bulk, 6 monthly, overseas rates on application.

Freedom, the doyen amongst the British Anarchist movement’s publications, claiming a publishing history that stretches back to the 1880’s, has recently been through some changes. Firstly Vernon Richards who had steered the paper and the publishing firm since the Second World War died and more recently the paper has been given a dramatic facelift and political re-alignment. That said it remains, for now, an 8-page broadsheet and the price has not increased either.

As for the content it remains a mixture of both British and International news and commentary, a lively letters page, reviews of recent publications (in particular those carried by the Freedom Bookshop), cartoons, forthcoming events and historical items. The revamped layout certainly looks much classier than previous incarnations, hardly surprising given that Cliff Harper has been involved with it. A minor grumble concerns the masthead however. Whilst it is extremely bold and eye-catching, the volume and issue number has disappeared inside the paper and the date is printed black on a dirty brown/red, which renders it virtually invisible in some light.

The politics remains mainstream anarchist that is predominantly a class struggle, although other perspectives are allowed space where people have something interesting to say. The balance still isn’t right in my opinion. Whilst one has to commend the principled internationalism, for a British paper it should have about 90% British news and comment, if it is become really relevant to the target audience (the working class). Whilst reprinting material about the Spanish Revolution may be very inspiring to some, to most people it simply doesn’t have enough direct relevance to their daily lives. Also there needs to be more emphasis on what unique things anarchists have to say today, not just lining up with other leftists in condemning the capitalist / statist outrage du jour. In particular the paper needs to focus on what readers can do now to take more control over their lives and gain control over the resources necessary to make meaningful improvements on both a personal and community / workplace level. Finally I’d like to see a more light-hearted tone to pieces, rather than a hectoring and know-it-all one. I am please, though, to se a recognition of the new wave of punk bands such as Pennywise, Rancid and others that Mike Davies features on Radio 1’s “The Lock-Up” programme.

The main problem remains, though, that of getting the paper out to more people. Whilst sales at demonstrations can give a temporary boost to sales, the movement is sorely lacking in regular sales places, especially with the near disappearance of the network of radical bookshops that were set up in the 1970’s. Freedom is also very slow in getting its website organised, although I understand that when it is up and running they hope to include all the titles available from the bookshop. I also hope they include some articles from recent issues (and not from the 1950’s!) There is a real need for a regular anarchist newspaper in Britain, and Freedom is the only paper that comes close to being what’s needed.

So, if you’ve never a copy before, send a quid off to the address at the top of the review, and they’ll send a sample issue or two. And if you want to receive it regularly then subscribe. There is a 6monthly option if you don’t want to commit to a full year. And once you start reading it, take part in the on-going debates, and who knows, you might find yourself actually getting involved in your workplace or community in some real anarchist action. Enjoy!!

Summary: The only regular British anarchist newspaper. Try it and see if it’s your cup of tea. 

7/10

Richard Alexander