Challenging the News: The Journalism of Alternative and Community Media

Community media journalists are, in essence, "filling in the gaps" left by mainstream news outlets. Forde's extensive 10 year study now develops an understanding of the journalistic practices at work in independent and community news organizations. Challenging the News provides an inside glimpse into alternative and independent media journalism in the UK, US and Australia and is the first work to focus on providing practice-based examples of alternative journalism. This book examines the nature of alternative and community media outlets, focusing on the news structures and journalistic practices at work to develop an understanding of the journalistic practices at work in independent and community news organisations. Specifically, this study looks at the role of the alternative journalist -- how do they get their news ideas and what drives their decisions? What motivates them and how does this impact on the journalism they practice? Although up to date and topical, historical sections on the UK, US and Australian independent and alternative media also provide a useful comparative context.