The Columbus Free Press and columbusfreepress.com are a project of the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism. We are managed by volunteers. Our website is updated with articles and events throughout the month. The Free Press no longer prints a publication. We post on two websites freepress.org and columbusfreepress.com.
Columbus Free Press Facebook page
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Columbus Free Press' sister website with national and international news is freepress.org
Mission Statement
The "Free Press" is an independent news organization that delivers complete, accurate, and timely coverage of social and political news to the citizens of Greater Columbus, Ohio. We are driven by principle and policy, not partisanship.
Through our journalism, we provide relevant information to the public to support and strengthen our citizen-based democracy and to ensure the accountability and integrity of our public institutions. In the long-standing tradition of muckraking journalism, we uphold the axiom that the role of a free press is to "afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted."
In addition to our news coverage, we provide editorial perspectives based on the democratic principles of openness, inclusion, and transparency. We serve as a watchdog, rather than a lapdog for the power elite; as a guardian of the public interest; and as an advocate for peace and justice in a society where all people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Vision
The Free Press strives to make Columbus a better place through our lively advocacy and our leading edge journalism in support of truth, justice and compassion. We profile the people, places and things that define our city. We aim to be a valued and trusted source of news, commentary and entertainment, and an indispensible part of the city’s civic life. Our news reporting is credible; our investigative journalism, serious; our commentary, thought-provoking; and our humor, hilarious.
Contact Us
Send your comments, letters to the editor, news tips, calendar events, or articles to: colsfreepress@gmail.com
Please put "Free Press Submission" in the subject line.
To call the Columbus Free Press: 614-253-2571.
To Advertise
The Columbus Free Press is a unique and perfect outlet for your business or service in central Ohio. Take out an ad to appeal to our discerning readers, who care about the community, small business, health, culture, social justice, politics, real news, and diversity. Prices are reasonable and there are special rates for nonprofits.
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Support the Columbus Free Press
You may donate money to keep the Free Press alive through the Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism (CICJ), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The CICJ published the original Free Press in Columbus. Your contribution would be tax deductible.
Donate to the Columbus Free Press
Support our advertisers! Please visit our advertisers and tell them you saw their ad in the Free Press.
Write for the Columbus Free Press
The Columbus Free Press appreciates input from new writers, but does not pay much (or at all) for most of its articles. If you are interested in covering a certain issue, being a news reporter, investigative reporter, photographer, or political cartoonist, please contact us if you are not dependent on substantial compensation.
Our editorial direction is toward progressive news, news analysis and coverage of alternative local culture. If an issue is significantly covered up or censored by mainstream news outlets, all the better. Please send a photo or graphic that is in the public domain.
We encourage submissions from people of all ages, genders, neighborhoods, and social justice causes.
Send submissions to: colsfreepress@gmail.com
Please put "Free Press Submission" in the subject line.
Calendar events should emphasize activist, social justice, or very alternative cultural events. Please send to: activist@columbusfreepress.com.
Due to the heavy volume of submissions we receive, we are unable to respond to each and every email.
Standards for articles:
- Single space between sentences
- Single space between paragraphs (no indents)
- All punctuation goes inside the "quote marks."
- Never use the %, always spell out the word "percent"
- Never begin a sentence with a number, spell the number out
- Use the spelling of numbers one through nine, then use the number for 10 - on up.
- Please spell check, grammar check your article and check all facts
- Cite all sources if possible
- No caps in title except first word and proper names
- Short bio of author at the article's end with contact information preferred
Free Press press passes are available.
Columbus Free Press Staff
Publisher: Columbus Institute for Contemporary Journalism
Editor-in-Chief: Bob Fitrakis
Managing Editor: Suzanne Patzer
Associate Editor: Johnny Lasker
Chief Information Officer: Robb Ebright
Calendar Editor: Bob Roehm
Regular Writers
Music: Ed Forman, John Petric, Wes Flexner
Arts: Richard Ades
Commentary: Julie Whitney Scott
Book Reviews: Marilyn Howard
Cannabis: Mary Jane Borden
