Novara Media and the Rise of the Digital Left: From Scaffolding a Movement to ‘Smashing that Like Button’

Abstract

This paper explores the radical Left’s evolving relationship with media, focusing on the transi-tion from print to digital platforms. Historically, print media served as a central tool for agitation and organisation within socialist and labour movements from the late 18th century through the 20th century. However, the rise of digital media has transformed communication, contributing to broader shifts in social relations tied to neoliberalism. This paper examines Novara Media, a prominent digital platform in Britain, to explore the dynamics of the ‘Postmodern Left.’ It argues that while digital platforms have provided new opportunities for leftist politics, they have also fostered forms of activism that are detached from traditional working-class politics and large-scale social change. By contextualising this shift historically, the paper seeks to contribute to ongoing debates on the role of digital media in anti-capitalist political projects.