Disability News Service will continue publishing stories, despite indefinite closure of Canary

Disability News Service (DNS) will continue to operate and produce stories for its website and subscribers, despite its editor being made redundant.

DNS, which was founded by disabled journalist John Pring in 2009, was bought by Canary Media in January, and has continued to operate since then as an editorially-independent news organisation.

But Canary Media has faced increasing problems in recent months, after experiencing what it described this week as “multiple attacks”, including being “debanked” and facing public criticism from former staff on social media.

It announced on Monday that this meant the situation had become “unsustainable, both financially and operationally” and that its Canary website was closing “indefinitely” and for “the foreseeable future”.

This statement led to several disabled allies contacting DNS to check on the impact this will have on its operation.

Pring, who has edited DNS since 2009, has been made redundant, but he is paying for the website to be hosted on a separate server and will continue to publish disability-related news stories on the DNS site, as he has done today (Thursday).

DNS will also continue to send its stories to subscribers every Thursday.

Revenue from subscriptions and donations is currently being held by DNS, with Canary Media’s agreement.

It is possible that Canary Media could be taken over by another media organisation.

If that does not happen, Pring hopes to buy back DNS or – if that is not possible – set up a new organisation that provides the same service.

Pring said: “I hope this reassures those disabled people who rely on DNS for carefully-researched news stories that amplify the voices of disabled people.

“I plan to continue providing this service in the months and years ahead. Financially, DNS is not at any risk.

“My concern is for the many journalists – many of them young, disabled, and/or people of colour – who have lost their jobs at Canary because of this sad situation.

“I hope the long-term picture will become clearer soon. Until then, thank you to everyone who is continuing to support DNS.”

In response to questions about Canary Media and the future of DNS, Steve Topple, Canary Media’s chief executive, told DNS: “Canary Media Limited is currently looking at all possible options in terms of the future of the company, with no decision being made yet.

“These are exceptionally difficult times for everyone involved, and we are working toward a resolution in the best interests of all parties.

“In terms of Disability News Service, the situation is transient and fluid due to the nature of Canary Media Limited’s situation.

“It is our priority to ensure that such an important site – as DNS is – is secured for the future, again in the best interests of everyone involved.

“It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time when nothing is confirmed.”