Alternative Media: The Truth vs. Myths & Misconceptions
The battle between the dying mainstream media model and internet-based alternative media models is not over. Don’t get me wrong. The mainstream media is dying; it will be dead. There is no doubt about that. The still-remaining question has to do with the alternative models out there within the internet sphere. Which ones will remain and march forward as viable replacements? How?
Last week I came across a semi-scholarly interview on this exact topic. I say semi because the interviewee is an accredited academic, and the analyses contain some facts and note-worthy explanations. I use semi because the interviewee and the point-of-view, and especially the conclusion presented, are strongly influenced by political philosophy, partisanship, and in some cases are purely nonsensical (Of course, that’s me subjectively speaking here).For me the notion of subsidized alternative media paired up with government subsidies is an oxymoron and utterly moronic (I am trying to refrain from using adjectives that are more fitting- for the sake of politeness and civility). All that being said, I found the following points note-worthy and valid [All Emphasis Mine]:
THERE HAS been a decline in journalism–a decline in the resources going to it and a decline in the institutions doing journalism. In the Internet age, this has given rise to what we might call “citizen journalists,” which is a euphemism for unpaid journalists–someone who is basically a volunteer, blogging in their free time, covering what they want to cover, not covering what they don’t want to cover. And really not held to any standard by anyone because they’re doing it on their free time. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.
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But one of the great ironies about our times is that the Internet has proven to be the greatest generator of corporate monopoly in the history of any economic system, not just modern capitalism. Everywhere you go online, there are a handful of companies that have what economists would consider monopolies–that is, at least half the market share, usually more.
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where does Google or Facebook make its money (and to a lesser extent Apple and Amazon)? There’s a great saying about the Internet: if you get something for free on the Internet, you’re not the customer; you’re the product.
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The great existential problem we face as a society for journalism is to somehow come up with the resources to support independent, competing journalism that can actually draw us into public life so we know what the heck is going on and we can participate.
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And here is a conclusion by the professor that starts off on the right track, but ends up royally nonsensical with examples attached:
…but if we want the mass of people to have the information they need to participate, we have to have subsidies to create a free press. We have to basically bankroll it. That’s why we got the postal and printing subsidies.
You see I was ready to cheer for him and clap when he concluded that if We the people want to have information, then We the people have to finance it. Then, he hit me with the government subsidized examples, inducing an almost scream and WTH moment.
I think we all agree on traditional mainstream journalism being dead-or almost dead. I believe we all see the current multi-model alternative system as a hodge-podge of partisanship, polarized showcasing of various political philosophies, cynically-devised alternative arm for the mainstream propaganda, staging and dissemination of amateurish hobby journalism … Yes we all get that. Then, the question becomes who-what, and how? What kind of alternative entities should we be looking for? How can we the people support and sustain viable alternative mediums? Is it even possible?
A Truly Viable Independent Alternative
As I have repeatedly stated here at Boiling Frogs Post, to be an independent alternative is to be financially independent of corporate money and agenda-driven foundation-NGO money strings. Okay, so let’s say we throw out the venues such as corporate advertisement, corporate foundation (Think Soros, Rockefeller, Ford …) grants and funds, and government-provided tax strings aka NGO traps. Then how do we expect our alternative model to survive and sustain itself?
You see, as the interviewee correctly indicated, we are not talking about Pajama Journalism, when Joe or Jane sets up a little blog spot, and once-in-a-while, writes and posts personal opinions as a hobby. That’s not journalism or even an educational/information source. That’s like someone’s diary open to the public.
Viable and reliable informational content generation involves continuous research daily, and many hours every day. News reporting involves all that research in addition to searching for and locating reliable sources and interviewing experts. Multimedia production of information/news involves technical abilities (to record, film, edit …) in addition to many hours of research, locating and interviewing credible sources and experts. All this work goes way beyond John or Jane Doe blogging their opinion, or their gossip, within the blogosphere.
Let me tell you from first-hand experience. It is NOT possible to work full-time outside (add to that daily routine preparation and commuting to and from that work), fulfill family responsibilities, carry on with ordinary survival necessities, and yet run a viable and dependable alternative information channel. It is NOT possible. If someone tells you that, tell them to contact me, and I’ll introduce those exceptional people to all my readers here at this website.
Let me repeat these lines from the academic interviewee:
…”citizen journalists,” which is a euphemism for unpaid journalists–someone who is basically a volunteer, blogging in their free time, covering what they want to cover, not covering what they don’t want to cover. And really not held to any standard by anyone because they’re doing it on their free time. If you don’t like it, don’t read it.”
The Sustaining of Truly Independent Alternatives
We have already established that to be truly independent means independent from corporate money and foundation/NGO funds. Also, we have agreed that to be a viable dependable fact and information source, and do so ethically and professionally (researching and finding facts, verifying the facts …), takes time, effort, and resources. So where will the funds to enable and sustain all this work come from?
“…but if we want the mass of people to have the information they need to participate, we have to have subsidies to create a free press. We have to basically bankroll it.”
Who does this We mean? Because there are some mega-corporate players who seem very willing and ready to subsidize media: George Soros does. Rockefellers, Carnegie, Ford … all do. That is, as long as the alternative is NOT an alternative and the information is NOT independent. You want to read or listen to what Soros or Rockefellers want you to read or listen to, then be my guest – go and pick any of many-dozens of outlets posing as alternatives. You know who I am talking about, no?
Because the only subsidization that makes an alternative real and independent is the people. That’s right. It has to come from the people: we the people. There is no way around it. We can’t have it both ways: demand and seek real independent alternatives, yet, not be willing to support those who qualify as such.
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One of the problems I face in supporting some really good individual websites has to do with my limited resources. Allow me to explain: X, Y, Z, D, each, individually, writes some excellent and informative editorials. Then M, N, O, P, each, individually, produce one or two really good podcast shows per week. And then E, F, G, each, individually, produce a weekly video news report. I love them all. I love all their work. But today, within my budget, I can only contribute up to $100-$150 dollars a year. I am in this position: who do I support? Or how much can I contribute to each?
I know many of you face a similar dilemma. This is why I began to look for a model that makes the choice easier and more doable. We cannot have all knowledge and all expertise; singularly-individually. Neither can we support many individuals each with their own individual forum or site. With Boiling Frogs Post my intention was, and is, to bring together a highly selective team of independent partners, and have them present their best here, all in one place:
When it comes to well-researched and produced video reports I have yet to find anyone who comes close to James Corbett of Corbett Report. We are not talking about some copy-paste and sensational gossip headline. We are talking about a producer-researcher who spends many many hours on research, interviewing, editing … to prepare a stellar 15-minue episode. He brings to BFP his research skills, investigative reporting abilities, technical capabilities … all in hard-hitting and highly informative weekly video reports:
BFP EyeOpener Video Report with James Corbett
Same can be said for every other BFP producer:
Processing Distortion with Peter B. Collins
De-Manufacturing Consent with Guillermo Jimenez
Empire, Power & People with Andrew Gavin Marshall
Boiling Frogs Podcast Show
Same principle applies to specific geopolitical expertise or economic analysis or literature review. No one expects to see all combined in one person. No one should pretend to be an expert in all areas. Go find me one person who is qualified and expert on Iran, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Uganda, New Zealand, government whistleblowers, civil liberties, economy, literature … and I will vacate my seat, bow, and declare this person ‘God.’
Let me give you another BFP example: Michael Germann spends an incredible amount of time daily to research and write about the most blacked-out geopolitical region in the world today- Russia, Central Asia & the Caucasus. Currently, there is no one I have come across on the net who provides what he does for BFP week after week:
The New Great Game Round Up with Christoph Germann
Mark Mondalek conducts the needed research to pinpoint non-mainstream significant books, obtain and read them, and review these books within the context of what’s happening in our world:
BFP Book Club with Mark Mondalek
Award-winning cartoonist Paul Jamiol has been creating bold and daring editorial cartoons covering crucial topics, and does so based on hours of hard work:
Award- Winning Editorial Cartoonist Jamiol Presents @ BFP
I spend on average 5 hours a day to research, read, collect, prepare and present one of the most comprehensive alternative aggregated weeknight news on the internet. Every week I work 10 to 15 hours on an investigative report or exposé. Some of them pan out and are published, while some are discarded due to not meeting journalistic standards. I spend another two hours daily on reading and preparing select editorials and analyses to be presented at BFP. Add to that the required work to run and maintain this website seven days a week…
How could a single blogger with full-time work and family responsibilities be all that: an analyst, a producer, an expert on Russia-Central Asia-Caucasus, an expert on the Middle East, a cartoonist, a savvy interviewer on all topics …
And all this work is only the tip of what it is required, what it takes, to become a full-fledged alternative news and information website. We are still aiming and working towards having our own team of investigative journalists. For that we will also need solid editors to ensure high-quality fact-based reporting. Again, all this will require funds, resources and time.
We have the independent qualification on our side: We do NOT receive a single penny from corporate advertisers, foundations, NGOs or partisan-affiliated entities. Not a penny.
We have a long-proven track record on being an alternative and covering the most daring and blacked-out reports, cases and information.
We have a team of talents, knowledge and expertise unmatched by any other independent website on the internet, which enables us to produce stellar video reports, informative and bold podcast shows, editorials and analyses by top independent experts, and verified and comprehensive nightly news. All in one place.
How can we continue and expand? That solely depends on You. We can only exist with the support of our irate minority members-that’s “You”. Without your support this truth source cannot exist. So, please take a stand and make a statement today by supporting a real independent alternative. Help us continue and expand- for the independent truth, and for all of us. You can, and here is how:
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