AlterNet
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| URL | AlterNet.org |
|---|---|
| Commercial? | No |
| Type of site | news, political analysis & commentary |
| Registration | Optional |
| Owner | Independent Media Institute |
| Created by | Independent Media Institute |
| Launched | 1998 |
| Current status | Active |
AlterNet, a project of the non-profit Independent Media Institute, is a progressive/liberal[1] activist news service, but contains broad enough information to be relevant to readers of many persuasions. Launched in 1998, AlterNet now claims a readership of over 3 million visitors per month[2] (the web ratings service Quantcast estimates that it receives 1.3 million).[3]
AlterNet publishes original content as well as journalism from a wide variety of other sources. AlterNet states that its mission is to "inspire citizen action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, and health care issues."[2] AlterNet's tagline is "The Mix is the Message."
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[edit] Overview
Founded in 1998, AlterNet publishes a combination of policy critiques, investigative reports and analysis, grassroots success stories and personal narratives. Its coverage emphasizes the discovery of solutions to social problems, and its editorial philosophy is "to uphold a commitment to fairness, equality and global stewardship, while making connections across generational, ethnic and issue lines."[2]
Coverage is sub-divided into several special sections related to progressive news and culture, including News & Politics, World, Economy, Civil Liberties, Immigration, Reproductive Justice, Economy, Environment, Food, Water, Books, Media & Culture, Belief, Drugs, Personal Health, Sex & Relationships, Vision, and Investigations.
AlterNet publishes original content and also amplifies the best of the alternative media. The editorial staff is headed by founder and executive editor Don Hazen, a former publisher of Mother Jones.[4]
AlterNet is financed through individual donations, by grants from major donors, and ad revenue.[4] In 2001–2005, the top three financial backers of the Independent Media Institute were the Nathan Cummings Foundation, David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Ford Foundation.[citation needed]
[edit] Awards
- Webby Awards
- Nominated: 2002, 2004
- Winner: 2003, 2005
- Official Honoree (Politics section), 2008[5]
- Utne Independent Press Awards
- Nominated: 2004, 2005
- Winner: 2002, 2003 (Reader's Choice)
- One of NPR's five "best on the internet", 2001[1]
[edit] Books
- We the Media. 1997. ISBN 978-1-56584-380-6
- After 9/11: Solutions for a Saner World[dead link]. 2002. ISBN 0-9633687-1-0
- The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq[dead link]. 2003. ISBN 1-58322-644-3
- Start Making Sense. 2005. ISBN 1-931498-84-9
[edit] References
- ^ a b It has been described by NPR as a "left-liberal news and opinion site". Media Online: A Few Firms Thrive While Many Fail
- ^ a b c "The Case for AlterNet". http://alternet.org/about/.
- ^ "Daily Traffic". Quantcast. http://www.quantcast.com/alternet.org. Retrieved 17 September 2010.
- ^ a b Melissa A. Wall, "Social Movements and the net: Activist Journalism Goes Digital", in Kevin Kawamoto (ed, 2003), Digital Journalism: Emerging media and the Changing Horizons of Journalism, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
- ^ Webby Awards, 12th Annual Webby Awards Official Honoree Selections
