Have you ever thought about who owns Green Left? Did you think perhaps it might be part of the Packer stable, or the Murdoch empire? With practically every other newspaper or magazine in the country, if you answered that way, you'd probably be right. But not Green Left Weekly.
Green Left is not owned by any one individual or organisation. Green Left is collectively owned by readers, contributors and supporters.
In point of fact, Green Left is owned by its shareholders. Currently there are around 300 of them, owning anywhere from one to 50 shares apiece.
Unlike the shareholders of BHP or ICI, Green Left shareholders don't expect to make a profit from their stake in the paper. They don't expect a dividend, and they don't expect their share value to appreciate.
What Green Left shareholders do have, which is unique to them, is a share in the future. They have the confidence of knowing that the money they have invested will go to ensuring the continued production of Australia's finest alternative newspaper.
Ownership of Green Left Weekly is not a restricted privilege. You don't have to be able to produce bound copies of the paper from its first year, or even have a current subscription. All you need is a commitment to the alternative media and $50. Shares are $50 each, and there is no limit to how many an individual may purchase.
So for that next birthday for the person who has everything, for that Christmas present with a difference, or just to support the paper, why not buy a share or two to Australia's collectively owned alternative newspaper? You can be certain your investment will have a positive impact.
Green Left is your voice. Help your voice to carry further by taking out a share. Simply send $50 to PO Box 394, Broadway 2007. Green Left Weekly — it's your paper. Share in it.