RED RAG MEETING: MINUTES

14th August 1986

Price 5p

Minutes of a Red Rag meeting, 14th August, 1986

Present: Paul P., Ian, Mark. R. Liz S. Ana, Cliff, Linda,
Laura, Paul Ka.

1. At the previous meeting, on 3rd August, several people had agreed
to contact outlets to enquire whether they would he willing to sell
Red Rag if it had a cover price. Two people reported back on this:

Ian - Acorn, UB Cycles, Pan Bookshop, Harvest Wholefoods all OK,
probably not expecting to take a retail margin.

Mark R - No.60 Christchurch Grn doubt that it would sell, but prepared
to give it a trial. Jelly's don't want to be bothered with any money
dealings. Paradise not suitable except direct from papersellers at
gigs.

Somebody suggested that these may be the outlets most amenable to
selling, so it can't be taken for granted that others would mostly
agree as well.

2. Name - The minutes of the previous meeting give a strong impression
of a markedly different publication being launched. Therefore there is
some strength of feeling about the continued use of the name "Red
Rag". Inevitably the general issue of the identity of the revived Red
Rag, and whether or not we will put a cover price on it, got drawn
into the discussion. (ie, some of us stayed quiet and confused while
others of us spoke at cross-purposes).

Is it to be an "anarchist" paper or a "community" paper? Red Rag needs
a re-vamp - how drastic is it to be?

We went around in a circle an all present gave a brief account of what
they personally value about Red Rag:

Present structure and content is sound response to the realities of
production; change necessary: more people / energy, but not drastic
change.

Strength of RR is that it can cater for those who wish to use it:
nothing needs eradicating except possibly partisan attacks.

"Free access / free distribution" as at present is important. If
accepting conventional "solutions" to capitalist problems, the Rag
should go all the way and become a commercial, profitable publication.

Long incomprehensible articles should be excluded, otherwise basically
OK.

Should continue free but not totally open forum. - stands for us
rather than just anyone.

Retain free access as far as it is anyway; more local issues, groups,
activities. "News". Cover price OK, probably won't affect content too
much.

Basically satisfied: needs more news written by those involved or
sympathetic, rather than journalists. Listings important as "selling"
point. Price necessary as donations / benefit gigs are not raising
enough.

{Interruption - often greater demand for something if it has a price.)

Happy with cover price because we live in a capitalist society. More
news, more initiative from RR, greater spread of people to be
involved, better not to be dependent on any one source of funding.

Basically good: small cover price seems good-ish idea. Going Out Guide
- attractive and useful.

Wide-ranging discussion of cover price / image /
identity. Realistically, money for production has to come from
somewhere.

Advertising a possibility, but to be done well enough needs
centralising a lot of responsibility and work onto one person.

(Minutes takers makes tea - tea break)

Laura proposes a cover price, calculated to cover costs. Some clearly
agree. Others unhappy but accept.

Back to name. Symbolically, putting a cover price on RR is a major
change, although in practice it may not affect, its identity a great
deal. If its identity doss change, several people feel that the name
should change too. Others very attached to the name. It was agreed to
keep "RED RAG" for now.

Other matters arising from last meeting

Mention of standard format - much horror at any proposed limiting of
the freedom of each issue's producers. Perhaps a consistent banner /
logo on front cover

Next issue:

Last freebie to be produced in first week of September,
Co-ord: Marcus 667060. Edit meeting 6pm, Thursday 4th Sept. 141
Cumberland Road. Production process largely as usual.

First new look Rag: late in September, coordinated by Mark /
Simon. Edit/prod meeting, Thursday 13th Sept, 8pm, 75 Filey Road

People wishing to be involved please be there...


But...

Postscript:

It appears that this meeting thought that the 18th Sept. issue would be
charged for; the minutes from the first meeting did not make is
sufficiently clear that the 18th Sept. one would be the new type of
Red Rag but it would be put out through the old distribution network
and it would be free... to let people know what's going on etc. Simon
& Mark & Marcus... (& maybe Cliff) are prepared to co-ordinate the
18th Sept Rag... editorial at Filey Rd still... sorry my minutes were
so confusing... x Mark R.

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