Bristol Cable

Bristol's indie news app

The Bristol Cable app brings award-winning investigative journalism and community connection right to your pocket. As Bristol's independent, member-owned news co-op, we're building something different—a space where quality local journalism meets genuine community conversation, free from big tech algorithms and corporate interests.
Become a member of The Bristol Cable—starting at just £1/month. Download the app today.
WHAT YOU GET:
Full mobile access to The Bristol Cable's in-depth investigations and analysis
Seamless browsing of articles, podcasts, and multimedia content
Customisable notifications—you have complete control over what you receive
Dedicated local community spaces for Bristol conversations
Connection to the Open Social Web and global communities
Integration with Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and Fediverse networks
Member-exclusive community features and discussions
Information about Cable events, workshops, and meetups
Direct messaging with other members and local organisations
Privacy-first design—no algorithm manipulation or data exploitation
Support truly independent, accountable journalism


OPEN ACCESS JOURNALISM, MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE APP
The Bristol Cable has always believed journalism should be free for everyone to read—we don't do paywalls. All our stories remain freely accessible online because information is a public good, not a commodity.
But this app is something more. It's a complete community platform that combines our journalism with social connection, local networking, and access to the Open Social Web. That's why app access is for Cable members only, starting from just £1 per month. When you become a member, you're not paying for news—you're joining a movement and gaining a powerful tool for community engagement.
DEEP-DIVE IMPACT JOURNALISM
Access The Bristol Cable's acclaimed investigative reporting wherever you are. Our journalist-led team produces in-depth journalism that enhances understanding of local issues—political, policy, cultural, and beyond. We don't chase breaking news. Instead, we dig deep into the stories that matter to Bristol, holding power to account and uncovering truths others won't touch.
BEYOND THE ALGORITHM
The app connects you to the Open Social Web—including Mastodon, Bluesky, Threads, and the wider Fediverse. Discover and follow interest-led communities, engage with people across the world, and join conversations that aren't controlled by profit-driven algorithms.
This is social networking that respects your privacy, your time, and your intelligence. No data harvesting. No manipulation. No corporate surveillance. Just genuine connection and meaningful conversation.
A SPACE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
The app creates dedicated local spaces where Bristol's communities can come together. Discuss the issues that matter to you. Share perspectives. Organise action. Connect with Bristol-based organisations and events. This is more than a news app—it's a digital town square built on values of openness, democracy, and collective ownership.
WHO WE ARE
The Bristol Cable is an independent investigative local news co-operative, owned by over 2,600 members who believe Bristol deserves better journalism. Since 2014, we've been investigating stories others ignore, amplifying voices often unheard, and building new models for democratic media. Our work has sparked national conversations, changed local policy, and held powerful institutions to account. And we've never put our journalism behind a paywall.
A PIONEERING COLLABORATION
This app represents a groundbreaking partnership between The Bristol Cable and the Newsmast Foundation. Together, we're demonstrating how community-centred journalism and open social networks can work hand-in-hand, creating a model that other independent media organisations can follow. This is what the future of democratic, community-owned media looks like.