View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
January 18, 2010

Gordon’s bid to save Camden Journal from ‘the big boys’

By Jon Slattery

Eric Gordon, editor and founder of the London weekly Camden New Journal newspaper, has asked solicitors to draw up a new constitution for the paper to stop it falling into the hands of big regional publishers.

Gordon bought the newspaper for £1 more than 20 years ago when it was the Camden Journal and was sold by its then owner North London News Group following an industrial dispute.

Speaking at a conference on “New Ways to Make Journalism Pay”, organised by the NUJ ‘s London Freelance Branch on Saturday, Gordon emphasised the difference between his paper and those owned by the large regional publishers.

“We don’t have any shareholders or have a managing director paid £50,0000 to £60,000,” Gordon said. This meant the CNJ could get by on far lower profit margins than the big groups which were closing papers and making journalists redundant, he said.

He revealed that he had recently been to see the West Highland Free Press, which is partly employee owned. Gordon, who over the years has turned down a number of offers for the CNJ, is looking at various models including a trust, charity or employee ownership as future options for the paper. “I wouldn’t want it to be sold to the big boys,” he said.

Content from our partners
Unified solution offers publishers unrivalled print and digital efficiency
How DPG Media invested in print technology to help it focus on digital
How to make sure you are social media ready for job hunting

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly dose of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how Progressive Media Investments may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network