Yet again, Mollie, you have written a fine piece on something which impinged on most of our lives. Thank you. I was a great admirer of the Free Press, although not knowing any of the protagonists at the time. I did work professionally with the admirable Rob afterwards, and am saddened at his death.
May you and your colleagues continue and flourish in continuing your human but ascerbic alternative.
Thank you Stuart - I did wonder if you knew of the Free Press, and I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. Interesting that you didn't know the protagonists - their operation must have been very covert. We're sorry to have to deliver the bad news about Rob but it's been lovely hearing readers' memories.
It seems like only yesterday ! The Free Press was amazing in exposing corruption and racism (plus ça change etc!) and being firmly on the side of people who were the victims and the exploited. They covered a few of the actions in which I was involved, and I remember Thelma, who worked with the Infamous Five for a while, interviewing John Hamilton and me in a coffee shop (then a novelty !) opposite the Municipal Annexe.
You can understand why those of us who were around at the time welcome The Post, which offers decent writing and the hope of some progressive journalism to counteract the drab and/or pernicious corporate bilge which perverts public discourse.
I became firm friends with Derek Massey. He is much missed. Derek was (like Mandy and News from Nowhere) an institution - unsung - in his own right. He was instrumental in the foundation of Open Eye.
The others all have had amazing careers. Brian’s writing from the Middle East was a refreshing contrast to imperialist propaganda. Steve and Chris (separately and sometimes with Derek) undertook some amazing undercover reporting, including on police corruption, fraudulent trading - and the celebrated TV expose Death On The Rock. Rob, also missed, had a great career in filmmaking, including The Man From The Pru, filmed in Liverpool with Jonathan Pryce. (Jonathan and Derek had met at Unity Theatre.)
Pubs at both ends of Roscoe Street were Free Press haunts. I’ve got a photo of Derek in the Roscoe on my desk. Next time I’m in I’ll raise a glass to the Free Press, its five wonderful journalists - and cross my fingers that The Post might take up the cudgels. We are blessed with some brilliant alternative local social media journalism but we need the lingering mythic smell of hot metal.
These are great memories - thank you so much for your comment, Kevin. I knew people were disenchanted with the local press but in researching this piece it was fascinating to see how far back the story goes. Thanks for filling in with some of your memories of the founders too, and we will try our best to replicate that kind of journalism...
A fascinating insight into the background of Liverpool in the early seventies. I read/subscribe to the Echo (sadly but a shadow) and lament the loss of the Daily Post. Copies of the Free Press survive. What about the posterity of The Post ?
Thanks Ian - hopefully The Post will be able to replicate that kind of detailed journalism. One of the good things about the digital journalism era is we don't have to worry as much about preserving our writing.
Thanks for taking the time & trouble to respond, not surprised it never made it, as I was late reading it, still doesn't take away the main view of the article
I came, or returned to Liverpool for the 3rd and final time, I 1969 at University. I was involved in the 1970 Senate House sit-in. The Free Press was a regular read in the 70s. Sad to hear of Robs death. Was Rob involved in an investigation into the leading Liberal council leader of the day and property deals in the Liverpool 1 (Chinatown, area)?
Yet again, Mollie, you have written a fine piece on something which impinged on most of our lives. Thank you. I was a great admirer of the Free Press, although not knowing any of the protagonists at the time. I did work professionally with the admirable Rob afterwards, and am saddened at his death.
May you and your colleagues continue and flourish in continuing your human but ascerbic alternative.
Stuart Richman
Thank you Stuart - I did wonder if you knew of the Free Press, and I'm glad you enjoyed the piece. Interesting that you didn't know the protagonists - their operation must have been very covert. We're sorry to have to deliver the bad news about Rob but it's been lovely hearing readers' memories.
What a fine piece as ever and what a great film this would make. First Take Productions?
Thank you Colin - if you can get hold of some copies through News from Nowhere they are still well worth reading. A film one day would be excellent.
Thanks so much, Mollie.
It seems like only yesterday ! The Free Press was amazing in exposing corruption and racism (plus ça change etc!) and being firmly on the side of people who were the victims and the exploited. They covered a few of the actions in which I was involved, and I remember Thelma, who worked with the Infamous Five for a while, interviewing John Hamilton and me in a coffee shop (then a novelty !) opposite the Municipal Annexe.
You can understand why those of us who were around at the time welcome The Post, which offers decent writing and the hope of some progressive journalism to counteract the drab and/or pernicious corporate bilge which perverts public discourse.
I became firm friends with Derek Massey. He is much missed. Derek was (like Mandy and News from Nowhere) an institution - unsung - in his own right. He was instrumental in the foundation of Open Eye.
The others all have had amazing careers. Brian’s writing from the Middle East was a refreshing contrast to imperialist propaganda. Steve and Chris (separately and sometimes with Derek) undertook some amazing undercover reporting, including on police corruption, fraudulent trading - and the celebrated TV expose Death On The Rock. Rob, also missed, had a great career in filmmaking, including The Man From The Pru, filmed in Liverpool with Jonathan Pryce. (Jonathan and Derek had met at Unity Theatre.)
Pubs at both ends of Roscoe Street were Free Press haunts. I’ve got a photo of Derek in the Roscoe on my desk. Next time I’m in I’ll raise a glass to the Free Press, its five wonderful journalists - and cross my fingers that The Post might take up the cudgels. We are blessed with some brilliant alternative local social media journalism but we need the lingering mythic smell of hot metal.
Enough is enough ! Time for the troublemakers !
These are great memories - thank you so much for your comment, Kevin. I knew people were disenchanted with the local press but in researching this piece it was fascinating to see how far back the story goes. Thanks for filling in with some of your memories of the founders too, and we will try our best to replicate that kind of journalism...
A fascinating insight into the background of Liverpool in the early seventies. I read/subscribe to the Echo (sadly but a shadow) and lament the loss of the Daily Post. Copies of the Free Press survive. What about the posterity of The Post ?
Thanks Ian - hopefully The Post will be able to replicate that kind of detailed journalism. One of the good things about the digital journalism era is we don't have to worry as much about preserving our writing.
I suspect that historians may find it difficult to locate!
Seems the more things change, the more they stay the same. Wonder what they would think about the Liverpool (?) Echo now
Hey Baz, this didn't make the piece, but Brian said the economics of the industry have gone haywire and the mainstream and local press is struggling.
Still, I wonder what the others would have thought.
Steve and Chris both spoke a bit about the changes over time at Derek's funeral. Derek certainly had strong views on our local 'press'!
Hiya Mollie
Thanks for taking the time & trouble to respond, not surprised it never made it, as I was late reading it, still doesn't take away the main view of the article
I came, or returned to Liverpool for the 3rd and final time, I 1969 at University. I was involved in the 1970 Senate House sit-in. The Free Press was a regular read in the 70s. Sad to hear of Robs death. Was Rob involved in an investigation into the leading Liberal council leader of the day and property deals in the Liverpool 1 (Chinatown, area)?