the big issue context

• the big issue is a niche magazine (has a smaller, specialised audience) outside the commercial mainstream.
• the magazine is part of a larger organisation and movement to help homeless people. it is financially independent and therefore not owned by a commercial company.
• the organisation allows registered vendors (homeless people) to work selling the magazine and receive half of the cover price for each copy sold.
• it provides a contrasting example of how media language can be used to construct alternative representations that appeal to particular audiences.

the big issue was launched in 1991 by Gordon Roddick and A. John Bird in response to the number of homeless people sleeping on the streets of London. vendors buy their magazines with their own money and sell them at their own profit or loss.






vendor centric- charity work is lead by the hopes and aspirations of big issue vendors.
inclusive- social and financial inclusion at the heart of their philosophy.
non judgemental- they work with anyone who is prepared to engage with self help.