DISSENT
Wednesday, 14 July 1999
Recipients of this letter will know that I (Kenneth Davidson) resigned as
editor of The Australian Rationalist last November. Some of you will have
received correspondence from Professor Brian Ellis about the circumstances
in which I felt it necessary to resign, and I do not wish to go over that
ground again.
Since my resignation I have been contacted by numerous people about the
need for a journal providing a forum for vigorous and critical debate about
a range of major issues. Certainly the circulation of the AR during my
editorship indicated that there was a demand for such a forum. Comments
from many readers and contributors showed that they seized on that quality
and type of journal as a source of divergent and useful discussion that was
not open to them through other sources.
There has never been a time of greater need for a journal of critical
comment on the many issues of public policy that confront us, particularly
given the parlous state of media ownership in Australia, and the very
limited outlets available to illuminate complex issues in an appropriately
thoughtful and detailed way.
In response to the many people who have contacted me, we are exploring the
possibility of establishing a new journal of critical comment on public
policy, to be called DISSENT.
DISSENT will provide the type of informed comment on serious issues that
made the previous journal I edited one of the most respected of the 'small
magazines' currently circulating in Australia. It will focus on thoughtful
and critical discussion of public affairs, including social and economic
policy, politics, education, media and the arts, cultural matters, science
and the environment. It will be a journal which raises issues, explores
them carefully, and encourages informed debate and discussion.
The establishment and production of a journal of this quality and type is
not without substantial costs, even given the completely unpaid labour of
the editorial team. Initially it is proposed to produce three editions per
year. In order to ensure that DISSENT can survive for a sufficient period
to establish itself and build a subscriber base and readership, seeding
capital of about $20,000 would be needed. On-going production costs would
be additional. The subscription and cover price will be determined once the
level of interest is ascertained.
I am writing, then, for two reasons:
* first, to determine the level of interest amongst an informed section of
the community in a journal of critical and informed comment; and
* secondly, if you are supportive of the concept, to ask that you consider
giving a donation as seed funding for the establishment of DISSENT.
Supporters and donors are called Dissenting Friends, some of whose names
appear at the beginning of this letter. You could be certain that your
contribution or support had helped to establish an independent and critical
voice in the debate on public policy that our country needs.
It is important to note that any amount you are able to contribute would be
fully utilised for the purposes of producing DISSENT. This is NOT an
invitation to invest in an enterprise in the expectation of a financial
return, but rather an invitation to consider a donation which will assist
in establishing this new journal. The donation would not constitute a
subscription to the journal.
I have attached a form which I would ask you to complete and return to me
by mail (addressed envelope enclosed) or fax. Telephone and email enquires
can also be made.
The cost of developing this proposal and of this letter, has been met by a
small number of people from private resources. We are committed to
developing DISSENT as a contribution to public policy debate in Australia,
but we cannot do so without the support of a larger group, both as
subscribers and as Dissenting Friends.
I urge you to consider supporting this venture, which comes at a time when,
more than ever, DISSENT is needed in our public life.
With thanks
Yours sincerely
Kenneth Davidson
DISSENT PO BOX 26 DEAKIN WEST ACT 2600
TEL/FAX: 02 6260 4213
EMAIL: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
DISSENTING FRIENDS
Phillip Adams
Robert Manne
Peter Nicholson
Bruce Petty
John Spooner
~~~~~~~~~~~~Donation Form~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tick the appropriate boxes, enter details, and return to:
DISSENT
PO Box 26
Deakin West
ACT 2600
Tel/Fax: 02 6260 4213
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
* I am interested in helping to establish DISSENT. I enclose a cheque/money
order/credit card number (see payment details below) and would like to
become a Dissenting Friend.
* I am interested in subscribing to DISSENT, and would like to be informed
when the first issue is available.
* Thank you for advising me, but I do not wish to receive any more
information about DISSENT.
Name (please print)
Address
Postcode
Phone
(B)
(H)
Fax
(B)
(H)
email
Payment details
* Cheque/money order (payable to DISSENT) is attached.
* Please charge my credit card (enter amount) $
* Mastercard * Bankcard * Visa
Card number
Expiry date
Name on card (please print):
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