Everyone who is a part of the global street paper network knows what a street paper is – that extends to the staff that put each publication together and those who buy them. But the people who truly know what a street paper is – what it means – are those who sell them. Here, a collection of street paper vendors – from North Macedonia to Canada – tell us, in their own words, what a street paper is, personally to them.

“The street paper saved my life” – what street papers are in the words of those who sell them

Maja Ravanska next to a recent cover of North Macedonian street paper 

Several street papers in the INSP network have noticed a rise in printing and publishing costs affecting their organisations. INSP spoke to Maja Ravanska, project manager and managing editor of North Macedonian street paper Lice v Lice, about the cost and environmental implications of having a print product in the modern day and how that affects the concept of a street paper.

How a rise in publishing costs is affecting street papers

Lice v Lice vendor Memet Kamber who recently passed away. Photo by Tomislav Georgiev.

Memet Kamber, who sold the street paper Lice v Lice in North Macedonia, died at the end of last month. He was admitted to hospital with hyperglycemia likely caused by lifelong diabetes. He grew up without a permanent residence and because Memet had no state-recognised ID card, he was essentially deemed stateless in his own country, and had been unable to access medical care. His situation is not unique in the country.

Tagged with 'lice-v-lice'

“The street paper saved my life” – what street papers are in the words of those who sell them

How a rise in publishing costs is affecting street papers

Lice v Lice vendor Memet Kamber’s death highlights the struggle undocumented citizens in North Macedonia face accessing health care