United KingdomOwnership & classification
Founded: 2011
Ownership
Novara Media is a British left-wing alternative outlet founded in 2011 by Aaron Bastani and James Butler, starting as a radio programme on Resonance FM. Since 1 February 2019 it has operated as a trading name of Thousand Hands Ltd, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (No. 11245029). It has no corporate proprietor or shareholders extracting profit; the company states all revenue is reinvested into its journalism.
Funding
Funded almost entirely by readers'/viewers' small recurring donations (it passed 10,000 monthly donors in 2022) with no paywall, plus minor income from merchandise, event tickets, YouTube advertising and superchats, and occasional project grants. It is a partner of the left-leaning cooperative The Media Fund.
Affiliation & stance
Novara is openly socialist/left-wing in editorial stance and was closely associated with the Corbyn-era Labour left, but it is not owned or directed by any party, union, state body or oligarch; its donor-funded not-for-profit structure keeps it editorially independent of outside controllers. It is therefore INDEPENDENT (matching the site's INDEPENDENT/LEFT guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 97
77/100
Factual
63/100
Objective
99
Articles
99
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Greens Pass ‘Zionism Is Racism’ Motion at Party Conference
At their largest-ever conference in Brighton, UK Green Party members passed a motion declaring Zionism as racism, making them the first mainstream British political party to take such a stance. The motion, supported by 1,022 votes to 813, calls for backing a single, democratic Palestinian state, supporting Palestinian political prisoners, opposing the Palestine Action ban, and affirming Palestinians' right to resistance. An amendment aimed at protecting Jewish members affiliated with Zionist institutions was rejected. Proponents argue the motion distinguishes between Judaism and Zionism and does not affect internal party discipline. The decision sparked controversy, with pro-Israel demonstrators protesting outside the conference, accusing the Greens of promoting racism. Internal divisions were evident, with senior figures like co-deputy leader Mothin Ali supporting the motion while former leader Caroline Lucas opposed it. Green Party policy has previously described Israeli actions as apartheid and genocide, and supports a full arms embargo and an end to occupation.
US Politicians Vote Down Bid to Get Justice for Americans Killed by Israel
US senators have rejected a resolution aimed at compelling the US government to disclose evidence related to the deaths of nine Americans killed by Israeli forces. Led by Democrat Chris Van Hollen, the resolution sought information on the incidents involving Omar Assad, a 78-year-old US citizen who died under traumatic conditions, and Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old US resident shot by an Israeli soldier. The resolution criticized the lack of accountability from the Netanyahu government and the US government's failure to secure justice. It called for disclosure of evidence, investigation steps, and pressure on Israel for accountability. The measure failed with 50 Republican senators voting against it, alongside one Democrat, while 46 Democrats and one Republican supported it. Critics note that some Democratic senators who supported the resolution have previously backed Israel or opposed measures to address alleged humanitarian crises in Gaza.
I won't accept exclusion, says Polanski after criticism of Zionism motion
A motion passed at the Green Party's conference in Brighton, which criticized Zionism and supported Palestinian rights, has sparked controversy within the party and beyond. The motion, endorsed by 1,022 votes to 813, includes statements describing Zionism as involving 'dehumanisation, displacement, dispossession, disenfranchisement and destruction of Palestinians.' This has led to backlash, including nine Labour MPs referring the Green Party to Sussex Police over potential antisemitic offenses. Leader Zack Polanski, who is Jewish, has rejected calls for exclusion based on religious or communal identity and emphasized the party's commitment to 'compassion, fairness and equality for all.' Israel's foreign ministry banned Polanski from entry, and Jewish groups condemned the motion. Meanwhile, Labour MPs raised concerns with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), citing fears of discriminatory practices against Jewish members. The EHRC stated it would consider complaints but has not yet launched an investigation. The European Green Party distanced itself from the motion, calling for clarity.
Brazil’s Lula Was Overtaken by a Trump-Backed Nepo Baby
Brazil's presidential election results show a close race between incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. Lula, a veteran leftist leader, faces Bolsonaro, a younger candidate associated with the far-right and linked to his father's controversial legacy. The article highlights concerns over foreign influence, particularly referencing U.S. President Donald Trump's support for Jair Bolsonaro during his legal troubles, including allegations of attempting to undermine Lula's candidacy through economic pressure and diplomatic actions. Lula's campaign focused on reconnecting with everyday Brazilians through simple pleasures, while Bolsonaro's approach has shifted toward nationalism and resistance to external interference. Despite initial polls favoring Lula, he narrowly lost the first round, setting up a runoff. The article frames the situation as a struggle between democratic governance and authoritarian tendencies, suggesting potential implications for Brazil's political stability.
Spain PM pins hopes on housing crisis to help win snap election
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a snap election for 29 November following a parliamentary defeat on housing-related reforms. The proposed measures, intended to improve tenant conditions and curb rising rents, were narrowly rejected by right-wing parties. This outcome signaled that Sánchez's left-wing coalition no longer holds a majority. Sánchez's government has faced multiple challenges, including corruption scandals involving high-profile members of his Socialist Party, legal troubles involving his wife, and difficulties managing a migrant influx in Ceuta. Right-wing parties like the PP and Vox consistently oppose Sánchez's policies, viewing his government as illegitimate due to scandals and perceived reliance on regional nationalist groups. Despite housing being a major concern for Spaniards, opinion polls indicate the Socialists are trailing behind the PP, making the upcoming election a significant test for Sánchez's leadership.
Burnham Scraps Starmer-Era Plans to Roll Back Jury Trials
The UK government, led by Andy Burnham, has abandoned plans to reduce jury trials in the courts, reversing a policy introduced by former Justice Secretary David Lammy under Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Justice Secretary Alex Norris stated that the court system was 'on the brink of collapse' but emphasized that reducing jury trials was not the solution. Instead, the government now pledges to invest in new technology and additional judicial resources to address the backlog. Critics had argued that Lammy's proposals aimed to suppress acquittals by juries who might act based on conscience, particularly in cases involving minor offenses. The campaign group Defend Our Juries praised the reversal but criticized the government for allowing courts to decide where cases are heard, potentially enabling strategic choices by defendants. The Ministry of Justice also announced increased sentencing powers for magistrates.
Greens to Announce Plan for ‘Emergency Brake’ on Rent Hikes
The Green Party leader, Zack Polanski, is set to announce a plan for a three-year 'emergency brake' on rent increases, limiting annual rent hikes to the lowest of three factors: Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, wage growth, or 2%. This measure aims to prevent sudden rent hikes and evictions, providing tenants with stability. The proposal mirrors existing pension adjustment rules, where increases are based on the highest of inflation, wage growth, or 2.5%. Polanski will argue that landlords have historically raised rents beyond wage growth, forcing many young people and families into precarious housing situations. The policy would temporarily cap rent increases but not eliminate them entirely, with a 'fair rents guarantee' intended to maintain affordability after the three-year period. The announcement comes amid rising average rents in England, which now exceed half the median monthly salary. The Greens frame the issue as a necessary intervention to address growing inequality and housing insecurity.
Trauma Farming: the New Politics of Public Suffering
The article discusses the concept of 'lived experience' within progressive politics, examining how it has become a marker of authority and legitimacy for marginalized voices. It raises concerns about the potential for this framework to enable self-promotion and justify harmful behaviors. The piece references Catherine Liu's book 'Traumatized: The New Politics of Public Suffering,' which critiques the shift from class-based politics to psychological discourse, arguing that trauma has been commodified and politicized. The discussion explores whether 'lived experience' is essential for valid political analysis and questions whether focusing on victimhood leads to internal conflict rather than systemic change.
Secrets of the Chinese Internet
The article introduces a series titled 'Do Your Own Research' focusing on China, with the first installment featuring Tianyu Fang, an editor at the newsletter Chaoyang Trap. The piece explores the complexities of understanding China through its digital landscape, critiquing the tendency to reduce the country's online presence to memes or superficial observations. It emphasizes the need to look beyond surface-level content to grasp the broader technological and societal developments shaping China's digital ecosystem.
Burnham to Ban Airlines From Charging Parents to Sit With Their Children
Andy Burnham, the UK Prime Minister, has announced a ban on airlines charging additional fees for parents to sit with their children during flights. The regulation, set to take effect before the upcoming summer holidays, applies to parents or accompanying adults traveling with children under 14 years old. It also grants passengers the right to correct booking errors at no cost. Burnham criticized such practices as 'a rip-off' and emphasized efforts to address everyday financial frustrations. The move aligns with broader initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of living, including measures against overcharging by rogue traders and subscription traps. Additionally, the policy includes stricter controls on disruptive passengers, allowing bans across multiple airlines.
UN report: more than 1,000 cases of sexual violence
A new United Nations report reveals that over 1,000 cases of sexual violence have been documented since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly four years ago. According to the report, 1,004 incidents were recorded between February 24, 2022, and the end of July 2024, though this number is described as only a fraction of the true scale of the issue. The majority of these cases, 89 percent, were attributed to Russian forces, including members of the military, prison services, and national security agencies, while 11 percent involved Ukrainian actors. Men were the most common victims, particularly within correctional facilities, but women and children were also affected, especially in occupied areas of Ukraine. The youngest victim was a four-year-old girl, and the oldest was an 82-year-old woman, both assaulted by Russian personnel. UN officials expressed deep concern over the frequency of such crimes and warned they could continue amid ongoing conflict.
Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson joins Palantir
Tom Watson, a former Labour deputy leader and government minister, has joined Palantir, a controversial US AI company known for its ties to the Israeli military and US immigration enforcement. His appointment comes as Palantir faces legal challenges from London Mayor Sadiq Khan over a £50m contract with the Metropolitan Police and pressures from Burnham’s government to end a £330m NHS contract. Watson will work alongside Palantir’s UK and Europe CEO, Louis Mosley, focusing on improving public services through AI. This move highlights ongoing connections between British politicians and big tech firms, with critics warning of a 'revolving door' that allows tech companies to benefit from insider knowledge. Watson previously advised on issues like gambling and digital engagement and has worked with other ex-politicians at companies like Meta and Microsoft.
Hundreds Set to Defy Palestine Action Ban at Labour Party Conference
Hundreds of activists plan to protest outside the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, defying a ban on Palestine Action activities. The demonstration, organized by Defend Our Juries (DOJ), aims to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer's policies regarding the Gaza conflict and the criminalization of dissent. Since the group was banned in July 2025, over 3,600 people have been arrested for supporting Palestine Action, including vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, disabled, teachers, and religious leaders. Activists argue that some are facing terrorism-related charges without being formally accused of terrorism offenses, and four members received increased sentences linked to 'terror connections' in June. The group praises Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband's decision to ban trade with illegal Israeli settlements but calls for further actions, including recognizing the genocide in Gaza and ending arms exports to Israel. Campaigners claim public pressure led to recent changes and insist continued efforts are needed to reverse the suppression of free speech.