Seeking the Truth in Alternate Media 

Seeking the Truth in Alternate Media

At lunch today, I was listening to Peter Phillips, director of Project Censored. He touched on something that I'd been thinking a lot of lately, the dominance of the news market by a half dozen or so media conglomerates and the degree to which they set the agenda for what will be discussed. That they do so and that their doing so suits those who wish to uphold the status quo cannot be seriously questioned. Those who's interests are served by this include our major corporations and both major political parties. It is because of those interests and those in power who are protecting them that we have not had a serious national debate on the WTO, on global warming, on reforming our medical services delivery system so that everybody has access to at least adequate medical care. You're not going to find a meaningful discussion of these things in the Presidential debates or elsewhere in the campaigns of the two major candidates. Regardless of what you think of the candidacy of Ralph Nader, of the three major candidates he is the only one who would address these subjects in a way that would benefit the working men and women of this country (as well as those who wish they were working). You can be damn sure that if nobody else forces them to do it, the major papers, newsmagazines, and network news and talk shows won't address these subjects.

So, where will you find this covered? You can start off easy, without straying too far from the mainstream, with The Nation. You can go to AlterNet or IndyMedia. From these you will find links to a whole world of media outlets you didn't dream existed. And you will start to read articles that address those things you are concerned about.

What are you waiting for? Do you want to read another story about Swift Boat Veterans or Dan Rather instead?