Can Alternative Media Challenge the Mainstream?

Defining Alternative Media is the first book of its kind to explore what it means to be alternative and critically explores whether the way in which alternative journalists operate is able to circumvent mainstream media practices.

Using examples from the UK alternative Press, the book identifies two distinct types of alternative journalist; those who desire radical structural social change and overhaul of the mainstream media and those that seek to encourage a sense of community by widening participation in the media. The two alternative journalisms are similar in that they encourage readers to participate, however, they differ in their ideological motivation and political orientation. 

The author argues that defining alternative media as participatory is insufficiently critical of, and in practice, presents too weak a challenge to the dominant practices of the mainstream capitalist press to be considered alternative.

Available as an e-book and in paperback...

In the spirit of Alternative Media I set-up the Student Guardian. The sites purpose is to encourage wider participation in journalism and at the same time as provide students with useful information to help them through university. In a nut-shell the Student Guardian gives new writers and journalists a chance to get their articles published without having to mould their writing into what's expected of them by vested interest lurking behind mass media.

NB. I've recently had to upgrade the site to a more secure version of Joomla. The sites will be back to normal when I have the time, the articles are all there if you can find them... 

If you are interested in Partcipatory, Citizen, or Alternative Journalism you can read more about the Alternative Media News here.

Other books by Anthony Bounds