Columbus Free Press
Encyclopedia
The Columbus Free Press is an alternative journal published in Columbus, Ohio
since October 11, 1970. This publication originally focused on anti-war
and alternative culture
issues. Although printed on newsprint
and formatted like a weekly alternative newspaper, it has been published monthly for most of its existence.
, Cheryl Betz, John Hunt, and Roger Doyle—with many others. The first issue, dated Oct. 21, 1970, was printed in a run of 2000 copies and sold for 15 cents.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
since October 11, 1970. This publication originally focused on anti-war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
and alternative culture
Alternative culture
Alternative culture is a type of culture that exists outside or on the fringes of mainstream or popular culture, usually under the domain of one or more subcultures...
issues. Although printed on newsprint
Newsprint
Newsprint is a low-cost, non-archival paper most commonly used to print newspapers, and other publications and advertising material. It usually has an off-white cast and distinctive feel. It is designed for use in printing presses that employ a long web of paper rather than individual sheets of...
and formatted like a weekly alternative newspaper, it has been published monthly for most of its existence.
Early history
The Columbus Free Press was the culmination of a string of attempts to launch an antiwar underground newspaper in Columbus, which included the Free University Cosmic Cosmic, Gregory, Renaissance, and Purple Berries. None of these efforts had survived for more than a few months. The Free Press (still alive in greatly altered form in its fortieth year) was founded by a large cast of volunteers including Steve Abbott, Bill and Sandi Quimby, Paul Ricciardi, Steve ConliffSteve Conliff
Steven Conliff was a Midwestern-based, Native American writer, historian, social satirist and political activist in the 1960s and 1970s. He is chiefly remembered for throwing a banana cream pie at James A...
, Cheryl Betz, John Hunt, and Roger Doyle—with many others. The first issue, dated Oct. 21, 1970, was printed in a run of 2000 copies and sold for 15 cents.