== Alternative Media ==
One of the main uses on online activism is the provision of alternative, independent media that is free from censorship or affliation with major news corporations. The internet has provided a space for groups and organisations to broadcast reports on issues that are completely sidelined in the mainstream media or are reported in a way that is biased and unfair. There are many independent news sites on the internet, some cover the news in general and provide a different opinion on major international issues such as the War in Iraq while other independent news services are for specific issues such as the environment or refugee issues. Groups like Indymedia and The Refugee Action Collective provide constantly updated news reports via their websites of information that is unavailable in the commercial media. In a world which digital cameras and camcorders can only cost a few hundred dollars and desk top publishing programmes can produce professional looking magazines in a few hours and a homemade website can give a few committed people the ability to communicate with millions of people the future of information no longer rests in the hands of a powerful few.
=== Importance of Independent Media sources ===
The 2004 Annual report on media freedom from the international watchdog, Reporters without Borders placed Australia in the 41st position in their index of press freedom. For a democratic country this is appalling, however it also highlights the increasing relevence of alternative media. One of the main reasons that Australia ranked in such a lowly position was that 'the Australian Government continued to prevent journalists from covering the situation of refugess held in camps on Australian territory' (Reporters Without Borders 2004 Report). While reporters from commercial newspapers and television stations were unable to gain access to refugees, protesters involved with The Refugee Action Collective were streaming images from Woomera live via the Indymedia website to 31 countries reminding the Australian government that the whole world is indeed watching, thanks to independent media. The favoured slogan of Indymedia that has become the catchphrase of all alternative media sites and organisations is 'DON'T HATE THE MEDIA, BECOME THE MEDIA'.
=== Alternative Media Sites ===
Zmagazine - [1]
Media Channel - mediachannel.org
Fair media - [2]
Indymedia - [3]
=== Sources ===
Reporters Without Borders 2004 Report on International Freedom in the Press
Kingsnorth, Paul (2003). 'One No, Many Yeses'. London:The Free Press.
www.Indymedia.org
Back to Online Activism
Donna hancox 11:02, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)
