Greater Govanhill is opening The Community Newsroom today in collaboration with investigative journalism co-op, The Ferret. The aim is to use the space for workshops, talks, discussions and other community building events.

Members of The Ferret and Greater Govanhill with student journalists | Photo by Angela Catlin

A shop front newsroom, that aims to bridge the gap between journalists, their audience and contributors, is opening its doors in Govanhill

The Community Newsroom – a shared space between Greater Govanhill community magazine and investigative journalism co-operative, The Ferret – is officially launching on Friday 16 December. It will be run by the two independent, non-profit media companies who have different focuses but a shared belief that good journalism changes things.

Its arrival to Scotland’s most multicultural neighbourhoods, where 88 languages are spoken, was welcomed by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the area’s MSP. The collaborative space will provide opportunities for training, workshops, discussion and drop-ins. Ideas for community events range from ‘town hall’ type meetings on local issues, to live illustrations of news stories on the front window, a freedom of information club and film screenings

The newsroom will also be the base of a year-long project – Mind the Health Gap - which is run by The Ferret and Greater Govanhilll magazine and takes a solutions focus to health inequalities.

Video by Devon McCole

A survey has been distributed gathering input from the local community for events they would like to see, and what issues they would like to discuss or investigate.

Co-working desks and a meeting room will be available for hire for the local community and others, as well as podcasting and video production facilities.. It will also provide opportunities for journalists to work more collaboratively with community organisations.

The office frontage is the work of local painter Rebecka Taylor, with a hand painted sign created by signwriter Hana Lindsay. The strapline for The Community Newsroom reads: ‘Everybody has a story… what’s yours?’.

Karin Goodwin, co-editor of The Ferret, said: "This feels like quite a momentous point to have reached and we're really excited about the possibilities of this space.

“At The Ferret our mission is to produce high-quality, Scotland-wide investigations in the public interest. But it is also so important for us to be accessible to the public that we serve.

“We are really looking forward to seeing what more we can achieve with others. Finding ways to work more collaboratively has never felt more important than in these difficult times.”

Rhiannon J Davies, founder and editor of Greater Govanhill community magazine said:

“This is a big step for Greater Govanhill, a magazine that was launched from my kitchen table during the pandemic.

“Already we’ve had so many interesting people stop by to say hello and share the issues that matter to them. Collaboration feels like the way forward to make local independent journalism sustainable and we’re excited to see what comes out it.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, MSP for the Southside Central constituency in which the newsroom sits said: “I’m delighted to see the opening of The Community Newsroom in Govanhill in my constituency.

“At a time when local journalism has badly suffered, it’s great to see Greater Govanhill and The Ferret buck the trend and establish a space at the heart of this community. I wish The Community Newsroom every success and look forward to visiting.”

To find more information about the co-working space, and the programme of events planned for The Community Newsroom, visit: greatergovanhill.com/newsroom