John Pilger: `Support free speech, support Green Left Weekly' : Melbourne Indymedia

John Pilger: `Support GLW's $100,000 Emergency Appeal!'

Peter Boyle

``Without Green Left Weekly, freedom of the press and public truth-telling in Australia would be gravely ill. This one newspaper is a beacon; in the least diverse, most restricted newspaper climate in the Western world, Green Left Weekly consistently helps its readers make sense of terrible and bewildering events that are often disguised behind the propaganda of governments, or wilfully ignored. If the truth is radical, Green Left Weekly is radical. At the same time, it is a voice of common decency: the only Australian newspaper in tune with the majority of Australians who oppose the violence of their government overseas. Please support Green Left Weekly in every way you can.'' — John Pilger, July 27, 2005.

John Pilger speaks eloquently for many others in these dangerous times, and we are honoured to have him as the first prominent supporter of GLW to feature in this Emergency Appeal column. And dangerous times these are. Paid hacks fill the ``mainstream'' media with shameless appeals for ``one nation, one culture'' while government billboards urge us to spy on our neighbours and dob them in to faceless and ever-more-powerful security agencies.

But the spirit of dissent is alive and well, as our Emergency Appeal tally attests. As this column goes to the editors, we’ve raised $25,545 toward our goal of $100,000. That’s just in the first two weeks of campaigning.

Another six supporters have joined the ``$1000 Club'' (making donations of $1000 or more): Tim C, Rupen S, Maurice F, Peter H, Rob Mc and Geoff W. We also received donations from: Cam P ($720), Peter H ($500), Peter I ($550), Rachel E, ($300), Mike K ($100), Karen F ($100), Maree R ($200), Sam W ($158.50), Norrian R ($480), Michael O ($130), Sib K ($400), Natalia R ($50), Richard F ($100), Chris A ($500), Mary P ($100), Matthew L ($100), Jon L ($500), Jackie P ($200), Joan C ($150), David B ($100), Jim C ($50), Bronwyn J ($250), Leigh S ($50), Louise M ($400), Leyal A ($200), Noreen N ($500), Devindar S ($50), Noel W ($50), Rob W ($10), Susan P ($180), Nick E ($20), Tim S ($200), Janet P ($158.50), Dan ($100) and Foirella R ($20). The rest came in from anonymous donations and fund-rasing activities by the Friends of Green Left Weekly association.

We have received many letters from supporters with useful suggestions and questions. Keep those emails coming in to Peterb@greenleft.org.au. I will try to answer them individually and in this column over the next few weeks.

Remember you can safely donate online from http://www.greenleft.org.au/fogl (Australia’s top political website, according to Hitwise) through our website's donate online button. Information sent on that form is protected by Secure Pay. Donations can also be phoned through on our toll free (Australia only) line: 1800 634 206.