Links

Below you will find links to a number of sites which provide independent news and analysis. Links to various complaints pages can also be found on this page. If you would like to suggest a link (to your own resources or those of others, please get in touch.

News Websites

Democracy Now! - Democracy Now! is an independent, US-based, news programme. 'Democracy Now!'s War and Peace Report provides [...] access to people and perspectives rarely heard in the U.S. corporate-sponsored media, including independent and international journalists, ordinary people from around the world who are directly affected by U.S. foreign policy, grassroots leaders and peace activists, artists, academics and independent analysts'.

Truth Dig - A US-based news website, offering readers 'insightful and accurate reporting on current subjects and on issues that need to be brought to your attention'.

IndyMedia - 'A network of individuals, independent and alternative media activists and organisations, offering grassroots, non-corporate, non-commercial coverage of important social and political issues'.

Information Clearing House - Discussion of the realities of western military aggression. In their own words, 'Information contained on this web site has not been approved by the US Dept of Homeland Security'.

The Center for Public Integrity - Produces original award-winning investigative journalism, funded by numerous foundations and individuals.

The Manchester Mule - The Manchester Mule is a non-profit, independent media project, looking to 'promote social justice by getting out the news and views you won't find elsewhere'.

Media Activism

Media Lens - The objective of Media Lens is to 'raise awareness of the systemic failure of the corporate media to report the world honestly and accurately'.

Spinwatch - Spinwatch monitor the role of PR and propaganda in society, promoting a greater understanding of PR spin through its website.

Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting - FAIR is a US media watch group, 'offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986'.

MediaBite - Irish media watchdog which investigates how news media is used 'to lead and shape public opinion'.

Tabloid Watch - 'Blogging about bad journalism'.

News Frames - News Frames 'attempts to decode the headlines', analysing '[h]ow the news is framed and how it effects your brain'.

AlterNet - 'AlterNet is an award-winning news magazine and online community that creates original journalism and amplifies the best of hundreds of other independent media sources'.

Media Standards Trust - 'The Media Standards Trust uses its projects to achieve its aim of fostering high standards in news on behalf of the public'.

Media Reform Coalition - 'Media Reform coordinates the work of advocacy groups campaigning to protect the public interest in light of the Leveson Inquiry and Communications Review'.

Complaint Pages

BBC Complaint Form - Use this form to flag up any issues you may have with the reporting of BBC News (television or website).

Press Complaints Commission - Deals with complaints about editorial content and conduct of journalists in the UK.

Books

There are a number of books that study in detail how news is manipulated before being consumed by the public. A few of these are listed below.

Media Control Noam Chomsky, 1997 Media Control is a short book which explores the effects of various propaganda techniques on Western society. Excerpts

Newspeak in the 21st Century David Edwards and David Cromwell, 2009 Newspeak in the 21st Century is critical analysis of the UK media, focussed on The Guardian and the BBC News. Excerpts

Flat Earth News Nick Davies, 2009 Nick Davies explores the nature of the news media and PR industry in the UK, discussing the processes of the 'news factory', the influence of PR, and the change of interests in the news media industry following the shift to the corporate world. Excerpts

Tell me no Lies Edited by John Pilger, 2004 This book is a collection of articles, essays, broadcasts and book excerpts selected by John Pilger, written by investigative journalists considered by him to be exceptional. This book does not deal with the manipulation of news but does provide numerous examples of insightful journalism. Excerpts

Films

The films below give good insights as to how and why the news is manipulated.

The War you Don't See John Pilger, 2010 A documentary film which takes a look at the role the media played in Iraq and Afghanistan wars in which the UK was involved, with a critical look at the nature of embedded war reporting. Pilger also questions those in charge of the BBC and ITV News for their uncritical reporting of these wars. Trailer on John Pilger Website | Purchase (Play.com)

War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning us Death Adapted from book by Normon Solomon, 2007 The film shows how the american Government has used the media as a tool to develop support for wars over the last 50 years. Documentary Website | Purchase (Play.com)

Outfoxed Robert Greenwald, 2004 This film contradicts Fox News's claim that their news is 'Fair and Balanced' and exposes how the channel is used to promote right-wing political views. The film features a number of former Fox News presenters as well as analysis from members of FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting). Documentary Website | Purchase (Play.com)

Manufacturing Consent - Noam Chomsky and the Media Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick, 1992 A look at the corporate media and how people's opinions are largely informed by TV and newspapers, setting the interests of dominant groups in society's agenda. Watch Online (Google Videos) | Purchase (Play.com)