The Eastbourne Reporter news website operates as a Community Interest Company (CIC) which, as you would expect, is run in the interests of the community. It is an asset-locked organisation, overseen by the CIC regulator: it is not set up for private gain.
Any profit would be reinvested, not given to shareholders. The content comprises verified original content from clearly identified sources written by a qualified, experienced journalist.
The website is free to read but news at this level of research and interviewing is not free to produce. We ask for donations / regular memberships and offer patron-level membership for organisations.
Eastbourne Reporter has attracted nearly 40,000 readers since launch in May 2022 but relies on readers willing to donate a small amount – from £1 upwards – to fund us. Could you manage just £12 a year to help?
The traditional business model of selling advertising in local newspapers has been largely wiped out water by the internet. The best future for local news is in the hands of readers making modest contributions: there is little funding for this type of social enterprise.
1,000 regular members – just one per cent of the population of Eastbourne – would be a huge help.
News should be led by the community and is for the community. I can be reached on the contact form. I’d love to hear from you!
Regulation
Eastbourne Reporter is regulated by Impress which operates a recognised scheme of independent press regulation, that works in the public interest to protect freedom of expression, individual rights and public safety.
It also ensures that any paid-for or sponsored content is very clearly marked as different to impartial editorial content. Not all publications do this.
People
My name is Rebecca Maer.
I am a qualified journalist with 30 years’ experience in the UK and overseas. I’ve worked as a news reporter at local and national levels, a feature and travel writer, columnist, business editor and city editor. I moved to Eastbourne in 2021.
Among the places I have worked are:
- The Argus / Brighton
- The Press Association / London
- The Observer / London
- Nottingham Post
- Teletext / London
- Bangkok Post / Thailand
- Freelance photojournalist / south-east Asia
I have written about the shocking state of local news coverage here and why it is like this. Councils and organisations are not being held to account, voices across our community are unheard and countless stories are untold. That is why I am doing this.
It is, by necessity, on a part time basis as I have to take paid work elsewhere. It would be fantastic to make it financially viable and spend more time on the website.
Please become a ‘Reporter Supporter’ if you can here. Join me in helping to make important stories about our town available for all to read. Thank you.