Report: Ralph Nader withholding funds for his new Connecticut newspaper

The new Litchfield County newspaper launched by consumer advocate and former presidential candidate Ralph Nader is facing a financial crisis because Nader has yet to provide the publication with its promised funding.
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The Winsted Citizen was originally planned as a weekly but has since shifted to a monthly schedule. It has published two editions since February and a third edition is in production. But according to an Editor & Publisher report sourced from unnamed “reliable sources,” Nader did not allocate his promised funding for the second edition, but instead offered an $8,000 loan.

Andy Thibault, the newspaper”™s publisher and editor, rejected the loan offer and stated he is applying for emergency grants from foundations. However, the newspaper”™s payroll has not been met for more than two weeks.

“It is true we published the second edition of the Citizen without receiving the funding we were promised for 75% of the cost,” Thibault said. “The paper agreed to generate the other 25%. With continuing support from subscribers, advertisers and donors, we will absolutely honor all our obligations.”

Thibault added the newspaper required six months of funding before it can become self-sustaining through subscriptions and advertisements.

The newspaper”™s coverage encompasses Winsted and the surrounding towns of Hartland, Riverton, Colebrook, Norfolk and New Hartford. Nader, who is a Winsted native, was not available to comment on the Editor & Publisher report.

Photo: Don LaVange / Wikimedia Commons