Politics ezine blossoms

Fledgling current affairs site ak13 is drawing a significant audience just 10 months since its launch - proof, say the publishers, that young readers are interested in political coverage and analysis.

Traffic to the alternative current affairs site has increased 500 per cent since January 2004, with readers from more than 35 countries logging on for its satirical commentary and reportage on politics, lifestyle and culture.

The publishers say the success of ak13 is down to its unique editorial approach, providing comment and analysis in an accesible form without academic jargon.

"Most political publications cater for a specific party-political or ideological community; they also tend to assume a high level of knowledge or familiarity with issues," said Ms Greenwood.

"We wanted to create a publication that reflected our generation's lives and concerns, and opened out the political arena without creating an ideological battleground."

The site was co-founded by former financial journalist Tom Freke and Alex Greenwood, who spent two years as online editor of political magazine the New Statesman. The site launched in August 2003 and now supports a staff of six with 15 regular contributors.

ak13 will be providing its own unique coverage of the UK's local and European election results with a special edition due on 17 June. The site is also to launch a daily news page, cultural review and books section.

Published fortnightly, the magazine welcomes contributions from new writers.

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See also:
ak13: http://www.ak13.com
New Statesman: http://www.newstatesman.com

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