Media flags are still flying at half mast on account of last week’s sudden closure of San Francisco Bay Guardian, but now there’s some tangible hope to resurrect the publication. And you can help! A Save the Guardian campaign on Indiegogo aims to raise at least $25,000 by December 6 so the staff can print one last commemorative issue, preserve the archives, and continue to seek out new ownership.
“We’re hoping the commemorative issue combines 48 years of Guardian history with remembrances from some of the well-known staff, writers, artists, activists, and politicians who worked with us for almost five decades, plus some original, contemporary news and arts writing as well,” says publisher Marke Bieschke. “Kind of the best of all worlds when it comes to the Guardian’s roots in SF. Plus there’ll be goodies like historic and fun old covers, photos, artwork, and memorabilia — stuff from the hippie days and the yuppie days up through the selfie age. The Guardian history is essentially the history of cool, underground, activist SF — we can’t wait to share some of that.”
The Indiegogo page includes a cute bonus in the form of a video that was shot before the closure as a pitch for a reality show. In just four short minutes, the viewer can see the sheer absurdity that is current media in San Francisco as three of our biggest publications with competing ideologies were shoved under one roof by a monopolistic, self-confessed Canadian “prick” who has no qualms in saying he is driven by deals first. Folks, you can’t make this ish up.
Photo from the Guardian's Oct. 22 rally by Nick Parker of Tim Vance the Band
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