Alternative and participatory journalism

This article looks at alternative media and how it acts as an alternative to mainstream media production outlets. [tell us who it is by] Alternative media is essential to preserve the traditional values and virtues of practical journalism, while reaching audiences ignored by mainstream media. Journalism has the role of exposing truths and giving the powerful responsibility for their actions. However, due to corruption of media elites, argues Fuchs, these values are sacrificed and neglected.

A significant point of the reading is that alternative media goes against the flow of conventional media. Fuchs has described alternative media to be the mass media that “challenges the dominant capitalist forms” (2010: 178). This community media is usually on a smaller scale to mainstream media and enables citizen voice and participation. A disadvantage of this is that it’s unable to reach the mass audience. Consequently, it remains insignificant and is unable to potentially transform politics. The fact that it cannot entirely embed in the counter-public sphere risks resulting in a disjointed public. Bailey also draws attention to this idea. He discusses this media supplement showing that “media can exist independent to the state and market” (2008: 18). This is a significant viewpoint as it reflects the transparency that is fundamental in journalism practice. It discourages influence from the elites and allows for a more trusted news source. This further enhances the role of journalism to inform the public and act as an advocate in campaigning terms.

Alternative media links with the idea of ‘prosumers’ (Fuchs, 2010: 178). This is the concept that consumers are no longer passive recipients, and are more of an active audience. This stems from people perhaps being affected by social, political or economic issues and therefore becoming concerned citizens and journalists themselves. This creates a new aim for alternative media: giving media power and a voice to the voiceless. Carpentier agrees with this perspective. They explain that alternative media offers diverse societal communities the prospect for “extensive participation in public debate” (2008: 88). By transferring the power balance within the media industries, I believe it ensures that there is a more diverse and objective output of information. This is crucial for the continuation and growth of the public sphere.

Community run news organisations have become more prominent within modern society. By way of example, Slaney Street (based in Birmingham) are co-operatively run and were initially an online blog but now proceed to distribute free printed newspapers across Birmingham. Their main aim is to inform and educate people by reporting on stories that are not reported by mainstream news outlets. They aspire to challenge institutional racism and classism that they feel is ingrained in Birmingham’s current publications.

In summary, I now understand that there are more proactive news outlets rather than just the mainstream news corporations and organisations. I believe that alternative media is important for informing people on controversial news content that is considered taboo and further encouraging discussion within the public sphere. Scholars such as Fuchs, see mainstream media as being controlled by powerful elites which fail to fulfil journalistic values and manipulate the audience’s ideology.

Bibliography:

Bailey, O., Carpentier, N., Cammaerts, B. (2008) Understanding Alternative Media. England: Open University Press

Fuchs, C. (2010) Alternative Media as Critical Media. European Journal of Social Theory, Vol 13, No 2, pp. 173-192