alternative media

Best List of Alternative Media Sources

Are you consuming news and information from mainstream sources? Are you tired of the conservative or liberal media bias or frustrated by the censorship around certain topics? Well, you are not alone. Many people are turning to independent news sources in search of the truth. We are sick of the same predictable narratives. Before we give you our recommendations of the best alternative news sites, let's discuss a couple of important questions.

What is alternative media?

list of alternative media sites

Alternative media are media sources that differ from established or dominant types of media in terms of their content, production, or distribution. You might also refer to alternative media as independent media. The alternative media definition often includes more freedom of the press and less interference or control from the government. While there is no specific format for alternative press, you can find a variety of formats including audio, video/film, blogs, TV, art, and other forms. Alternative news sites usually run on smaller budgets and less funding and, in some cases, do not receive backing at all but rely on donations, product promotion, or crowdfunding-type initiatives.(1)

Our Republic Matters Podcast

Date: 9/1/2022

Name of Podcast: Our Republic Matters

Episode Title and Number:  Part II | Operation Mockingbird/15

Brief Summary:  In this Part Ii of this episode we discuss the mainstream media and how it was controlled through CIA involvement as part of Operation Mockingbird. 

Project Mockingbird was a secret CIA program during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at influencing media content in the United States. According to experts, the goal of the program was to use media outlets to shape public opinion and promote pro-American views and values abroad.

The program was started in the early 1950s, during the height of the Cold War, and continued for several decades. According to historical records, the CIA recruited journalists, editors, and publishers to participate in the program, paying them to promote specific viewpoints and ideas in their reporting.

Frequently asked questions about Project Mockingbird include:

  • What was the goal of Project Mockingbird?
  • The goal of Project Mockingbird was to use media outlets to shape public opinion and promote pro-American views and values abroad.
  • Who was involved in Project Mockingbird?
  • Project Mockingbird was run by the CIA and involved the recruitment of journalists, editors, and publishers to participate in the program.
  • How long did Project Mockingbird last?
  • Project Mockingbird lasted for several decades, starting in the early 1950s and continuing until the late 1960s.

Who are alternative media?

To answer this question, we need to consider the categories of independent media sources. Here is a list of alternative media categories and recommended sources as well as examples of each; for a more comprehensive list, visit our recommended resources page.


Can alternative press be trusted?

Well, let's think about this for a moment. How many times has the mainstream media called something a conspiracy theory only to find out later it was the truth? Remember when the Hunter Biden laptop story broke, and all of the mainstream media quickly dismissed it as just another conspiracy theory? Of course, we later learned that the laptop is real and being investigated. That is why the mainstream press is frequently referred to as fake news. Typically, the mainstream media is classified as having a liberal or conservative slant, often not reporting or underreporting a news item because it does not fit their particular media bias. Also, the mainstream media will omit reporting on certain topics such as election fraud, and this, to me, doesn't fall under the category of trusting.

independent media

According to gallup.com, "Four in 10 U.S. adults say they have 'a great deal' (9%) or 'a fair amount' (31%) of trust and confidence in the media to report the news 'fully, accurately, and fairly,' while six in 10 have 'not very much' trust (27%) or 'none at all' (33%) (3)." Because alternative news sites operate on small budgets and don't typically have funding from big tech or big government, they focus more on reporting on the real news without trying to align with a certain narrative. I’m not saying you should rely on any single alternative periodicals source but rather do your own research and read many sources in search of truth and not just take the mainstream media opinion as the gospel. Corporate media is influenced by big investments from tech companies, government, and its content is dictated by advertisers. You need to use your own discernment and common sense. (2)

Alternative news versus mainstream press

It really depends on your objective. If you are happy with the current narrative reporting by CNN, MSNBC, Fox, and others, and you just want to live your life and not be bothered or question what is being reported, then, by all means, keep watching the mainstream news sites.

mainstream media

However, if you want to dig deeper and find the truth and are tired of censorship, then you should give alternative media a try. If you don’t care about left or right narratives and just want to know what is really going on in the world that you live in, then it may be time to check out alternative news.  Quertime lists 15 reasons why you can't trust the mainstream media. (3)

Why is independent media important?

Independent media, also known as alternative press, plays a crucial role in modern society for various reasons. Firstly, it provides an additional option for news stories with less censorship and interference from big government. In this way, independent media can serve as a check against the mainstream media, which may be influenced by political interests and commercial pressures.

Secondly, statistics indicate that online media is more reliable than traditional media outlets. This is due to the fact that online sources are often subject to more scrutiny from their readership, and can be quickly corrected if errors are identified.

Thirdly, independent media outlets often cover topics that are not covered by mainstream media, providing readers with a broader range of perspectives and a more comprehensive understanding of the world.

Fourthly, independent media gives people a choice apart from mainstream media, allowing them to make more informed decisions about the news they consume.

Fifthly, independent media can force corporate media to take notice of important stories that they may otherwise ignore, as well as serving as a watchdog against unethical or biased reporting.

Finally, independent media provides an option for keeping up to date on the news with less media bias and less promotion of a certain narrative. This is important for people who value objective reporting and diverse perspectives.

Summary/Conclusion

In conclusion, it is essential for individuals to do their research and read a range of different sources before forming an opinion. Independent media provides an important alternative to mainstream media outlets, and as long as we continue to value freedom and truth, alternative publications will continue to expand and thrive. For those who love their freedom and want to make America great again, getting involved in supporting independent media can be an important way to help save our republic. Check out our "get involved" page to learn more about how you can do your part.


Article Sources

  1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_media
  2. https://news.gallup.com/poll/195542/americans-trust-mass-media-sinks-new-low.aspx
  3. https://www.quertime.com/article/15-reasons-why-you-can-never-trust-the-mainstream-media/ 
  4. Central Intelligence Agency. (2021). CIA Historical Review Program. https://www.cia.gov/library/readingroom/collection/cia-historical-review-program
  5. National Security Archive. (2021). Project Mockingbird: The CIA's Secret Control of the Media https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB93
  6. U.S. Senate Select Committee to Study Government Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities. (1976). Final Report of the Select Committee to Study Government Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities. https://intelligence.senate.gov/sites/default/files/reports/94755_report.pdf
Latest Post:

MK Ultra Program

Share on Social Media