Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Television alternative

I read the previous article about how to invigorate television and how personalized advertisements might keep audiences tuned in during commercials, but the thought I had about invigorating television, was to make it a completely independent medium, funded by the people and not government or advertisements or corporations. Obviously the idea might sound good, but there probably are a lot of arguments to the idea. Here is the mission statement of independent world television that is starting to do this concept, it can be found at http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38&Itemid=88:
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What's Real About Us

We won't blindly follow wire services or official press releases that attempt to set the news agenda. We will cover the big stories of the day, but we will broaden the definition of what's important.

The Real News will investigate, report and debate stories that help us understand the critical issues of our time.

The movements for the rights of working people, women, children, immigrants, indigenous people, for freedom of religion and conscience, for moral and spiritual values and for peace and against racism are news. The health of our planet will be a story, day after day.

The Real News will give important stories the attention and sense of urgency they deserve.

Who's a Newsmaker?

We will cover people in high office, but we won't limit our news to official positions or the partisan horse race for power. We think that people who fight for human rights and work for solutions are newsmakers.

Targeting a Mass Audience

We will make stories that matter dramatic and engaging. We will combine sizzle with substance, understanding that craft and entertainment values are critical to winning a large audience.

Daring Debate

Many sides of an issue will be explored, taking debate beyond narrow partisanship. Guests will have deep knowledge and investigated opinions. Debate will be lively and witty and will resist personal attacks, talking points and empty rhetoric.

Bias, Accountability and Transparency

We all have interests. We recognize that bias will affect the elements in a story we choose to highlight, the facts we consider important and the sources we decide to trust. To be human is to have bias. The answer is transparency; The Real News will create forums for questioning, debating and criticizing our work.

Back to Basics

The Real News relies on verifiable journalism, seeking truth without bowing to pressure and fearlessly following the evidence wherever it leads.

Viewer Support

The Real News will be financed by the economic power of thousands of viewers like you around the world. Just 250,000 people paying $10 a month will make it happen.


Join us in making The Real News a reality.

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