WHAT MEDIA? ALTERNATIVES TO MAINSTREAM CORPORATE MEDIA AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

By David Mulinix and Sue Ann Martinson / Rise Up Times Original /  Updated March 10, 2024

The first thing to know is that we have to be skeptical of the U.S. corporate-controlled mainstream media (MSM) because their so-called reporting on Ukraine and now the Gaza bombings is all too often pro-war propaganda just like it was during the Iraq War. Unfortunately but predictably, the MSM is again using this propaganda to support easily avoidable and unwinnable wars in hopes of expanding the U.S. empire. So, if we can’t trust the MSM, where can we find the truth about the American empire’s proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and support of Israel in what is a proxy war in Israel/Palestine for control in the Middle East? The legendary investigative reporters who spoke out against the Iraq War are still around but are no longer welcome on MSM as they were during the Iraq War. That is why most of them have set up camp online to share their stories. We will provide links to many award-winning journalists who now report only from the internet. To begin here is the link to Katie Halper’s video discussion of “John Pilger’s Guide To Propaganda,”  https://bit.ly/3QAiwP0. John Pilger is an Australian investigative journalist, author and documentary filmmaker: His awards include the Sydney Peace Prize (2009) and Grierson Trust Award, UK (2011).

WHERE TO FIND BETTER INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION

Algorithms: If you didn’t know, social media algorithms sort through data based on relevancy instead of time before sending information to your feed. This means networks determine what users will see in their feed based on what they have seen before. That may seem innocuous, but this sifting process is really a marketing technique that censors out numerous other important articles that may be of interest. The algorithms also shape searches for numerous other subjects including individuals, groups and organization websites.

With the advent of censorship by algorithms (among other forms of censorship) investigative journalists, writers, and commentators have had to turn to alternative sources, including those that have paid and/or free subscription options. Some also use additional sources such as YouTube and podcasts. To search for guest speakers at universities and conferences and webinars type in specific speaker names or article titles in YouTube or on other news websites.

Alternative Media Websites: You will find lists of journalists, writers, and commentators and other important alternative news in posted below. These lists are by no means definitive and know that new sources are always emerging. You can also follow your favorites on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, Tic Toc, and X,  formerly known as Twitter, as well as Linked In, Pinterest, and Tumbler and other websites. Although websites of peace and justice organizations are extremely important and wonderfully there are many, they are not included unless they also have significant media outreach.

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A LIST OF RESOUCES AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

The Lists: Lists on Rise Up Times include a list of alternative news/media websites and a list of alternative journalists/writers/commentators and where to find them as listed below. A version of this article also appears in the current edition of the Veterans for Peace Chapter 27 newsletter directing readers to Rise Up Times for The Lists.

News Media Sources

These are alternative media websites. You will often find articles by the journalists included in this article, as well as other important alternative news. Note that this list is not definitive. This list also does not include peace and justice organizations, which, while very important, are not covered in this article unless they have significant separate media outreach.

The Alternative World Newsletter website is where you could be able to find different points of view about how today’s world should be changed to be improved. Includes a variety of very informative articles on various subjects with videos by various commentators and interviews. https://thealtworld.substack.com

Antiwar.com An excellent source for antiwar news, viewpoints and activities. https://antiwar.com/

Black Alliance for Peace (A people-centered human rights project against war, repression and imperialism.) The mission of the organization is “to recapture and redevelop the historic anti-war, anti-imperialist, and pro-peace positions of the radical black movement.”

The Black Agenda Report News, commentary and analysis from the Black left.Includes Africa, Africa America, education, environment, international, media and culture, US politics, war and empire, radio podcast. https://www.blackagendareport.com/

Common Dreams To inform, to inspire, to ignite change for the common good. Everyday, Common Dreams does everything we can to raise the voices of those struggling. Providing reliable journalism and the views of the leading voices of our time. Founded In 1997. Editorial Independence. People Powered. No Advertising. The News that Matters.

Consortium News, independent investigative journalism and political review. From the Late Founder and Editor Robert Parry: When we founded Consortium News in 1995 – as the first investigative news magazine based on the Internet – there was already a crisis building in the U.S. news media. The mainstream media was falling into a pattern of groupthink on issue after issue, often ignoring important factual information because it didn’t fit with what all the Important People knew to be true. https://consortiumnews.com/

Code Pink – Women for Peace (A feminist grassroots organization working to end U.S. warfare and imperialism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programs.) Dedicated to nonviolence, from its founding, the organization is loosely structured and its leadership largely nonhierarchical. The website incudes information and actions to take on current events.

Common Dreams Nonprofit News – Breaking News and Opinion. Everyday, Common Dreams does everything we can to raise the voices of those struggling. Providing reliable journalism and the views of the leading voices of our time. No Advertising. Editorial Independence. Delivered to Your Inbox. Founded In 1997. The News that Matters.  https://www.commondreams.org

Democracy Now! Produces a daily, global, independent news hour hosted by award-winning journalists Amy Goodman and Juan González. Reporting includes breaking daily news headlines and in-depth interviews with people on the front lines of the world’s most pressing issues.  https://www.democracynow.org/

Eisenhower Media Network (EMN) An independent source for journalists.  A group of critical veteran military and national security professionals who offer credible, independent and critical analysis grounded in years of real world practitioner experience. EMN’s high-level veteran military and national security experts have been there, done that. They give it to you straight because they are not employed by any part of the Military Industrial Congressional Complex. Our roster includes West Point Grads who have led troops in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, Intelligence professionals, FBI special agents, and more experts. Includes Coleen Rowley, Ann Wright, Matthew Hoh, Christian Sorenson, and other experts.  https://eisenhowermedianetwork.org/

 New York Times full page article: “The U.S. Should Be a Force for Peace in the World.”

FAIR (Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting) A national progressive media watchdog group, challenging corporate media bias, spin and misinformation.  Works to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints. As an anti-censorship organization, we expose neglected news stories and defend working journalists when they are muzzled. As a progressive group, FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information.  https://fair.org

Haaretz, breaking news, analysis and opinion from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world.  http://haaretz.com

High Country News A monthly independent magazine based in Paonia, Colorado, that covers environmental, social, and political issues in the Western United States. Syndicated stories from High Country News have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, and other national publications   https://www.hcn.org/

Honor the Earth Our mission is to create awareness and support for Native environmental issues and to develop needed financial and political resources for the survival of sustainable Native communities. We believe a sustainable world is predicated on transforming economic, social, and political relationships that have been based on systems of conquest toward systems based on just relationships with each other and with the natural world.  http://honortheearth.org

ICT News Indian Country Today  Native American facts, Indian news and American Indian service, plus Native history and culture.    https://ictnews.org/

The Intercept  An award-winning news organization dedicated to holding the powerful accountable through fearless, adversarial journalism. Its in-depth investigations and unflinching analysis focus on politics, war, surveillance, corruption, the environment, technology, criminal justice, the media, and more. https://theintercept.com/

MintPress News An independent watchdog journalism organization that provides issue-based original reporting, in-depth investigations, and thoughtful analysis of the most pressing topics facing our nation. We focus our coverage on issues relating to the effects of special interest groups, big business and lobbying efforts and how they shape policies at home and abroad, including American foreign policy. https://www.mintpressnews.com/

Popular Resistance provides a daily stream of resistance news from across the United States and around the world by free subscription. Also organizes campaigns and participate in coalitions on a broad range of issues. https://popularresistance.org/

OpEd News OpEdNews.com (OEN) is a tough progressive website, supporting values that are really dead center American, like fairness, democracy, justice, protection of our national resources and commons, and preferring to support humans before corporations and religions. OEN is more than a media or blog site. OEN is an activism and advocacy empowerment site designed to be used, for free by individuals and non-profit groups and organizations.  https://www.opednews.com

Pressenza – International Press Agency Humanism, Nonviolence, Human Rights, Disarmament, Diversity. Pressenza is a space open to the expression of the social base. We endorse a universalist humanist perspective and actively promote cooperation agreements and partnerships with other agencies, as well as reciprocal links with portals, platforms, news and communications media of specific communities and cultures.  With a presence in 24 countries, we issue our daily news service in English, Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese, German, Greek and Catalan.

Reader Supported News Publishes a number of articles from other sources about current issues and events. Also publishes Writing for Godot, an experiment in Citizen Journalism}  RSN.org

The Real News Network (TRNN) Makes media connecting you to the movements, people, and perspectives that are advancing the cause of a more just, equal, and livable planet. We broaden your understanding of the issues, contexts, and voices behind the news headlines. We are rigorous in our journalism and dedicated to the facts, but unafraid to engage alongside movements for change, because we believe journalism and media making has a critical role to play in illuminating pathways for collective action. https://therealnews.com/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/therealnews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therealnews #chrishedges #therealnewsnetwork

Rise Times, Media for Justice and Peace Publishes news, information, stories, commentary, videos, and perceptive views on current events, actions, and issues you will not find in the mainstream corporate media about issues crucial to the survival of government by and for the people with emphasis on pro-peace, antiwar activities, media, and the climate crisis. https://riseuptimes.org/

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On Instagram under seasnun account (search for seasnun to find)

ScheerPost Award-winning, independent news organization that focuses on progressive politics and human rights issues that the mainstream media misses. We make it our mission to bring you the latest cutting-edge news and analysis about these issues. A commitment to peace and the antiwar movement, to economic, social, racial and gender equality, and to climate change awareness as a result of capitalism. https://scheerpost.com/

Truthout  A nonprofit news organization dedicated to providing independent reporting and commentary on a diverse range of social justice issues. Truthout works to spark action by revealing systemic social, racial, economic and environmental injustice and providing a platform for progressive and transformative ideas, through in-depth investigative reporting and critical analysis.

Tom Dispatch (Hard-hitting critiques of U.S. national security policy and other pressing issues of the day) Resist Empire. Tom Englehardt, editor. https://tomdispatch.com/

Unicorn Riot  Independent media collective that specializes in on the ground reporting, investigative journalism, and documentary filmmaking  With a focus on social, economic, and environmental justice issues, Unicorn Riot aims to shed light on underreported stories, amplify marginalized voices, and provide a platform for grassroots activism. https://unicornriot.ninja

World Beyond War Anti-War & Pro-Peace Resources Databasehttps://worldbeyondwar.org/who/
https://worldbeyondwar.org/resources/

Magazines are not included but their websites can be found by search engines:
In These Times. Jacobin, Mother Jones, The Nation, Yes! Magazine and others.

Middle East

News sources dedicated in particular to the Middle East and relevant now to the Gaza apartheid/genocide: Palestine and Israel. Recommended by the Women Against Military Madness Newsletter.

Some resources for Gaza/
Palestine News, Views, Info:
(in alphabetical order):
+972.mag.com
aljazeera.com
btselem.org
dci-palestine.org
democracynow.org
electronicintifada.net
haaretz.com
ifamericansknew.org
jewishvoiceforpeace.org/TheWire
mintpressnews.com
mondoweiss.net
palestinechronicle.com
popular-resistance.blogspot.com
samidoun.net
thegrayzone.com
wearenotnumbers.org
Women Against Military Madness  Vol. 41 No. 5  Winter 2023

Comedians

Lee Camp Antiwar and anti-imperialist comedian has been heavily censored: his show on Redacted Today shut down and removed from the web and podcasts removed from Spotify. .He currently has a show Dangerous Ideas. https://leecamp.com/

Jimmy Dore An “outrageous and outraged, bothersome and bothered,” a crucial, profane, passionate voice for progressives and free-thinkers in 2st century America. https://www.youtube.com/c/thejimmydoreshow

Cartoonists

Mark Fiore, Pulitzer Prize winning political cartoonist.  http://www.markfiore.com/

Mr, FISH/Dwayne Booth (the inimitable Mr. Fish) political cartoons. Often illustrates for Chris Hedges articles on ScheerPost.com. https://clowncrack.com/

The Writers/Journalists/Commentators

William (Bill) J. Astore USAF veteran and a senior fellow at the Eisenhower Media Network [EMN]  Substack: Bracing Views: U.S. militarism and politics. Making sense of a vexing and perplexing world.  https://bracingviews.substac/k.com

Eva Bartlett Canadian Award Winning Journalist, reports from the Russia/US/Ukraine War frontlines.  Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/EvaBoBeeva/

Brian Berletic US Marine Veteran & Independent Political Commentator.
The New Atlas YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheNewAtlas

Max Blumenthal US Award Winning Investigative Journalist, Editor-In-Chief, The Grayzone) The Grayzone.com.  The Grayzone:
https://thegrayzone.com/author/max-blumenthal/

Clare Daly (Irish Member, European Parliament) One of few sane, rational politicians in the world. (DM); Clare Daly Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ClareDalyMEP/

Lee Fang (Investigations and observations about the public interest.)
On YouTube and Substack: https://www.leefang.com/

Henry A. Giroux Henry Armand Giroux is an American-Canadian scholar and cultural critic. One of the founding theorists of critical pedagogy in the United States, he is best known for his pioneering work in public pedagogy, cultural studies, youth studies, higher education, media studies, and critical theory. Giroux’s writing has won many awards, and he has written for a range of public and scholarly sources. He has written more than 70 books; published more than 500 papers; and published hundreds of chapters in others’ books, articles in magazines, and more, as well as talks and interviews. He is an officer on the board of Truthout.org.   https://www.henryagiroux.com https://www.facebook.com/henry.giroux.3

Glenn Greenwald US Award Winning Journalist, Glenn has a regular show System Update, (video) every weekday night on Rumble at 7 pm ET (6 pm CT)  Glenn Greenwald Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/GGreenwald For podcasts go to Rumble: https://rephonic.com/product/podcast-outreach-database  Clips of his shows can be found on YouTube.

Katie Halper American comedian, writer, filmmaker, podcaster, and political commentator. She is the host of the podcast The Katie Halper Show and co-host of the podcast Useful Idiots with Matt Taibbi on Substack. Katiehalper.com

Chris Hedges US Pulitzer Prize Winning Investigative Journalist, The Chris Hedges Report on Substack covers US foreign policy, economic realities, and civil liberties in American society.  Substack:  https://chrishedges.substack.com/archive?sort=new
Hedges is also regularly on The Real News Network, ScheerPost, and YouTube, podcasts, and other sources.

Seymour Hersh (US Pulitzer Prize winning Investigative Journalist)
Sy Hersh Substack: https://seymourhersh.substack.com/

Caitlin Johnstone Articles, poems, stories and thoughts (often political
commentary) always free to read. A newsletter and podcast.
https://caitlinjohnstone.com.au/
Substack: https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/

Dimitri Lascaris (Canadian Lawyer, Journalist & Activist
Dimitri Lascaris Homepage: Dimitri Lascaris Youtube Channel: Dimitri Lascaris Webinar: “Making Peace with Russia, One Handshake at a Time”: https://dimitrilascaris.org/2023/07/05/finding-peace-in-ukraine-national-webinar/

Joe Lauria US Award Winning Correspondent, Consortium News Editor-In-Chief . \ Consortium News Homepage: https://consortiumnews.com/

Aaron Mate US Award Winning Investigative Journalist.
Aaron Mate Substack: https://mate.substack.com/
Aaron Mate and Katie Halper Useful Idiots https://usefulidiots.substack.com/

Ray McGovern Former US CIA Officer who prepared the President’s Daily Brief for 7 US Presidents. Ray McGovern Homepage: https://raymcgovern.com/

John Mearsheimer US Political Scientist & International Relations Scholar, Russia/Ukraine Expert. John Mearsheimer Home Page: https://www.mearsheimer.com/

Alexander Mercouris UK Human Rights & Constitutional Law Attorney focused on International Affairs with special interest in Russia and the law. The Duran Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexMercouris

Ben Norton. Geopolitical Economy Independent news outlet providing original journalism and analysis to understand the changing world. https://geopoliticaleconomy.substack.com/

John Pilger Australian Award Winning Investigative Journalist
John Pilger Homepage: https://johnpilger.com/

Scott Ritter (US former UN Weapons Inspector & former USMC Intelligence Officer). The Scott Ritter Show:  https://www.youtube.com/@scottrittershow/streams
Ask the Inspector:  https://www.youtube.com/@USTourofDutyPodcasts

 A Scott Ritter Investigation: Agent Zelensky – Part 1:
https://rumble.com/v2zs3r0-a-scott-ritter-investigation-agent-zelensky-part-1.html

Coleen Rowley (Retired FBI agent and former Minneapolis Division Legal Counsel who became a whistleblower after 9-11.) Time Magazine Person of the Year in 2002, with Cynthia Cooper of WorldCom and Sherron Watkins of Enron. Senior Fellow, Eisenhower Media Network (EMN) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coleen.rowley

Jeffrey Sachs US UN Secretary-General. Adviser.Jeffrey Sachs Homepage: https://www.jeffsachs.org/interviewsandmedia
Jeffrey Sachs Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.sachs

Speaking Security Evaluating and visualizing security-related policies through a class lens.  https://stephensemler.substack.com/\

Michael Shellenberger American author and former public relations professional who writes about humanity, civilization, and the environment. https://public.substack.com/

Norman Solomon Award-winning American journalist, media critic, author and activist.
Latest book: “War Made Invisible: How America Hides the Human Toll of Its Military Machine,,” published by The New Press, June 2023. https://www.normansolomon.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100032849211601

David Swanson, Let’s Try Democracy  Writings, video, audio. David Swanson is an author, activist, journalist, and radio host. He is executive director of World BEYOND War and campaign coordinator for RootsAction.org.  https://davidswanson.org/

Matt Taibbi, Regular news and features by award-winning author and investigative reporter.  Author of Hate, Inc: Why Today’s Media Makes Us Despise One Another. Taibbi now appears on Racket News, which also features other writers. https://www.racket.news/  He also pens The Writing Life: https://thewritinglife.substack.com/
From Chris Hedges about Matt Taibbi: Extensive government blacklists, revealed by the Twitter Files, are used to censor left-wing and right-wing critics. This censorship apparatus has been turned on the reporter who exposed them.  https://bit.ly/3qmgp8a

Mick Wallace Irish Member, European Parliament. One of few sane, rational politicians in the world.  Mick Wallace Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/wallacemick

Filmmakers

Anne Laure Bonnel French Investigative Journalist & Documentary Filmmaker. Donbass Documentary:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8j0tJsKltg&t=2118s

Robert Greenwald – Brave New Films  Creating Media that Makes an Impact. Champions social justice with film.

Igor Lopatonok Ukrainian/Russian Documentary Filmmaker.
Ukraine 30 years of Independence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hgeZilgRCU&t=27s
Maidan Massacre Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoYz-VpI5mk

Michael Moore Academy Award-winning filmmaker and political provocateur, Michael Moore offers his subversive and humorous take on the issues of the day and talks to a wide range of people from comedians and politicians to the people who’ve tried to kill him. Plus various mischief with Mike’s friends, family and the neighbors who don’t work for the NSA.  Rumble: https://rumble.media/episodes
Spoptify podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5KubucWBfyJr14bD7xWBvS

Paul Moreira French Investigative Journalist & Documentary Filmmaker. Ukraine, Masks of The Revolution:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLXtWfTcLC4&t=9

John Pilger Australian Award Winning Investigative Journalist & Filmmaker.
John Pilger Homepage: https://johnpilger.com/

Oliver Stone US Academy Award Winning Filmmaker.
Ukraine on Fire:(DM)  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKcmNGvaDUs&t=3814s)
Revealing Ukraine and The Putin interviews in four parts:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhu3lfgHhCI&t=4799s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBh-ivZ5C-w&t=276s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYH3ml0y_9w&t=713s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWUDOs4pvD4&t=343shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crlIG8QgyiQ&t=2865s

Other commentators worth looking up:

Ann Wright writes regularly for various peace and justice websites with comments information and insights re current events.

 Coleen Rowley Former FBI agent and whistleblower, posts regularly on  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coleen.rowley. She appears regularly on various peace and justice websites as well as publishes articles on various websites around current events.

David Mulinix is a political activist who has been involved in grassroots organizing for nearly 60 years. Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr., he walked for Civil Rights as a teenager, protested the Vietnam War and has been actively involved in just about every peace and justice movement ever since.

Sue Ann Martinson is an antiwar/propeace activist and publisher and editor of Rise Up Times, Media for Justice and Peace. She is also a member of Veterans For Peace (VFP) and Women Against Military Madness (WAMM) and is currently working with WAMM’s Military Madness Against the Earth action group.