the broadsheet is so called because it is in the tradition of the 17th-18th century broadsheet which were
news sheets or pamphlets which were
given out or
posted in
public places to give
news and views to the
local population. The broadsheet was started in the
UK as an
action in the
handling of attacks. This was at a
time when we were being attacked in
Parliament and in the
press and on TV when no air
time or newsprint
time or newsprint was devoted to give our
viewpoint or the true facts from our
viewpoint. Thus we decided that if we could not get our viewpoints printed we would print and
distribute them ourselves, giving them away if necessary. This was done throughout the British
attack, the broadsheets were sought by far more individuals than we had previously envisaged. (
BPL 31
Jan 69,
PRO Broadsheets)