Tired of fickle glossies telling you to spend more and lose weight if you want to be happy?Us too. So we were really inspired to hear about a new mag with a difference, brought to us by Ctrl.Alt.Shift; the experimental youth initiative politicising a new generation of activists for social justice and global change.This month they launched the first consumer title created by a charity,which aims to bring us 'Current affairs with a double shot of tequila’.We like.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift: The Corruption Issue focuses on corruption as both a key cause of poverty and the barrier to overcoming it, and represents an ongoing attempt by the organisation to bring a marginalised social and political agenda back into mainstream rhetoric.

Including a satirical fashion shoot inspired by Guantanamo Bay, and drawing on comment and work from contemporary artists such as V V Brown and Sarah Maple, the magazine taps into popular culture to provoke debate and counter apathy amongst its audience of 18 – 25 year olds.


"We hope the magazine will reach out to people who wouldn’t traditionally be interested in politics or current affairs, and encourage those people out of their comfort zones and into action”. (Katrin Owusu, Head of Youth Marketing and Innovations at Ctrl.Alt.Shift.)

Highlights of the issue include:


•The A-Z: 22 pages of bite-sized chunks, global trends, topics and tit-bits shaking up our world.

•Sarah Maple: The artist described by The Independent on Sunday as ‘the heir to Tracy Emin’s throne’ unveils a bespoke piece of work influenced by corruption and sex.

• Culture club – Richard Shoyemi looks at how Asda’s new Asian range will inspire a generation of fashionistas to swap minge creepers in favour of saris.

• Interview with Tim Westwood – the Radio 1 DJ talks marrying music, activism, and why he wouldn’t take Pimp My Ride to Palestine.

• Ben White: Author of Israeli Apartheid: A Beginner’s Guide, freelance journalist and Middle East expert breaks down the language of corruption.

• Riz Ahmed: fresh from appearing alongside Judi Dench in the movie Rage, the actor and MC finds time to give his take on the effects of corruption.

• Face the Music – Ctrl.Alt.Shift unearths the sounds which are making it big in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and beyond.

• Goody Two Shoes: Feature on how Brazilian show company Melissa and designer Vivienne Westwood have met in ethical style heaven.

• Murder he wrote – an investigative feature by Rahul Verma into honour killings in India.


Printed on completely uncoated paper using vegetable ink, the magazine is completely biodegradable and has a cover price of £3.95. It is available from most WHSmith stores and will be available to buy from this website soon:

...