Free Times serves South Carolina’s capital city of Columbia as a fresh and independent voice covering news, politics, arts and entertainment. One of the two largest non-daily newspapers in South Carolina, Free Times enjoys a large and loyal following from an impressively active and engaged group of readers. As certified by Media Audit, Free Times reaches 129,300 readers in the Columbia area (spring 2007).

Columbia, home to the University of South Carolina and several other colleges and universities, is a booming area with more than 100,000 residents within the city limits and more than 600,000 residents in the greater metro area. USC serves as a focal point for much of the city’s cultural life, and it is bordered by two entertainment districts full of restaurants, bars, nightclubs and art galleries. Columbia is also a diverse city, almost evenly split between black and white with a small but rapidly growing Hispanic community and small but thriving Indian, Thai, Chinese and other communities.

Founded in 1987, Free Times has thrived by providing comprehensive and insightful arts and entertainment coverage along with timely and informed local news coverage. Since joining the S.C. Press Association several years ago, Free Times has won numerous awards for its reporting, feature writing, illustration, design and more. Free Times is also actively engaged in the community, presenting its own annual music festival and working with numerous partners on other festivals and events.