the voice

• the voice is a commercial media product but could also be seen as fulfilling a public service through its targeting of an ethnic minority audience. The website also demonstrates the way the news institutions have had to respond to new technology through the Voice's bi-media presence and use of convergence.
• the voice was founded in the UK in 1982 by Val McCalla
• the Voice's slogan is 'Britain's favourite black newspaper'
• • The Voice website reflects a populist, tabloid style mode of address, suggesting a focus on entertainment and celebrity as well as issues like race and  politics.It does this to interest its niche target audience.
• launched in 1982 at the notting hill carnival
• The voice newspaper captured and addressed a generation figuring out what it meant to be black and british.
• The voice was written by and for black people
• the newspaper shone a light on systematic injustices as well as celebrating black Britain's success stories
• From hard hitting news reports covering the murder of stephen lawrence to championing the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton and Idris Elba, the newspaper has campaigned, celebrated and educated people for at least 40 years
• had its small beginnings in Hackney, The Voice has also became a fantastic training ground for prominent journalists and figures including former politician Trevor Phillips, broadcaster Rageh Omaar and writer Afua Hirsch. Today the Voice is Britain's longest running and only black newspaper.
• The circulation of the paper peaked at 55,000 in the early 1990s with young women being a substantial majority of its weekly buyers.
• media representation was often negative and rarely from a black perspective- example of Edward Said's post colonial theory of Orientalism but one where the people being misrepresented live within the same country as those representing them (thus truly post-colonial)
• Val McCalla's aim, in setting up the paper (and its online descendant) was to allow black journalists to tackle issues affecting the black audience, and from their perspective the 'faith' section (with its emphasis on black churches and gospel music) allow the site to do this.
• was set up as a result of the racial tensions in the early 80s under the thatcher government
• the voice newspaper is committed to 'celebrating black experience' and aims to deliver 'positive change' by 'informing the black community on important issues', with its news stories, in-depth interviews, opinion pieces and investigations, the voice remains 'Britain's most successful black newspaper'
• 'the voice' as a title, connotes/links to the 'voice' of the previously silenced and oppressed black people in Britain and their chance to have a platform for them and their views, issues, and content
• launched in 1982, britain's first black newspaper
• aimed at the black british community
• show digital convergence through usage of black rolemodels such as footballers, sportsmen politicians and other aspirational figures for young audiences who are a digital natives
• criticisms with the voice online website- conducted an interview with the rapper 'Wiley' shortly after he made anti-semetic remarks on social media, they were then critiqued for not confronting him on the matter and the interview was subsequently deleted.
• although initially a print publication, the voice transitioned to an online format to adapt to changing reader habits and economic pressures. the digital format allows for real-time reporting and broader reach, particularly among younger audiences who predominantly access news online.
• barclays bank was being heavily critiqued for its investments in South Africa where racial segregation was institutionalised in a system known as apartheid. in a bit of an impression management, the bank attempted to counteract the negative publicity by showing support for African-Carribean causes
• McCalla secured 62000 pounds from Barclays bank with the backing of the loan guarantee scheme which was part of a series of initiatives set up by the Thatcher government to help unemployed people start their own business. The Voice enterprise was a success and the bank loan was paid off within five years.
• hesmondhalgh believed companies involved in cultural industries were motivated by profit rather than a duty to public service broadcasting. the social and political contexts of the early 80s offered Val McCalla an opportunity to raise the funds needed for such a risky venture.