Mainstream v. Alternative Media Coverage

Welcome back! This week I was assigned the task of exploring both mainstream and alternative media sources and evaluating their coverage. Since I have never turned to an alternative media source as a news outlet, I was anxious to see what it had to offer. I chose to monitor the widely viewed and accepted mainstream CNN and alternative outlet Wiretap as my news sources.

Firstly, let me establish the necessary criteria to define a source as a mainstream or alternative. Mainstream media is diluted by efforts to maximize corporate gains and needs to report to elite audiences, while alternative media is nonprofit, and aims to report news in an unbiased manner. As alternative media seeks to inform rather profit, oftentimes it contains little or no “spin,” and can be seen as more trustworthy. Conversely, as mainstream media is structured around corporate interest, and may be seen as less valid. However, I do not mean to bash on mainstream media, as I frequently turn to CNN for political updates and election coverage. I only mean to say that its coverage must be taken with a grain of salt; it is after all, a business with an agenda. Now that the grounds for each branch of media have been set, I’ll begin my analysis of each.

I was pleased to see that Wiretap offered a broad range of coverage. After reading multiple stories, it becomes apparent that Wiretap treats its audience as participants rather than business, and promotes ideas rather than profits. Instead of justifying corporate media, Wiretap challenges it by offering an impartial approach to issues. Multiple blogs are posted in a column on the right, providing a mix of public opinion. Both sides of the coin are thoroughly examined in every story to ensure a balanced argument and create a truly honest report.

However, CNN’s need as a business to obtain wealth and profit from their coverage forces them into a position to market their media.  CNN’s web page is cluttered with a range of topics and approaches them in a completely different manner than Wiretap. Rather than the “Go Green” environmental blogs present on the Wiretap web page, CNN is filled with breaking news stories in politics, entertainment, and stocks. Although it still offers multiple viewpoints, the site is overrun with obvious advertisements and contains more spin than alternative media.

Ultimately, media selection boils down to personal preference; both alternative and mainstream media are capable of serving as news outlets. The primary objective when searching for a satisfactory media source is to have to be pleased with its news coverage, whichever the form. That’s all for now; see you next week!