Alternative, open source journalism is surging forward widely driving public consumption to all-time highs. The numbers are real as people continue to vote with their attention in North America and across the pond throughout the European Union in favor of truth and reality. Gone are the days of loaded teleprompter tales, false narratives and omitted facts. The alternative media wages daily battles to reestablish lost integrity and trust that corporate funded, mainstream media trampled and left for dead long ago. In the age of open-sourced information, the citizen journalist is king (or queen). The immense opportunity for humanity to grasp destiny and steer reality towards absolute truths is happening now. As voices multiply reporting stories and vital information from every corner of the globe, those demonstrating steadfast integrity, empathy and open sourced facts are standing out.
Access Journalism vs. Open Source
Access journalism means that the journalist/reporter is granted exclusive or early access to a story or individual. In exchange for the exclusivity and access, the journalist will give up part or all of their voice to scripted, framed and/or planted messages that position the story’s subject for a predetermined outcome. Simply put, access journalism says we’ll give you access if you write the story we tell you.
Emails recently obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the media outlet Gawker describe an exchanged between The Atlantic’s journalist Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic’s political editor and Hillary Clinton’s Senior advisor/spokesman Philippe Reines. According to Gawker’s investigative findings, Ambinder “outsourced his editorial judgement” in exchange for early access to a transcript of Clinton’s speech. Unfortunately, access journalism and scripted voices comprise a majority of the mainstream media. Original reporting and creativity are frowned upon and punished rapidly.
Recognizing that they are fighting a lost battle, the established, corporate funded and politically directed mainstream media has launched a nonstop astroturf campaign. According to former CBS correspondent and founder of Full Measure News Sharyl Attkisson, the aim of astroturf campaigns are “to create the appearance that there is support for or against an agenda when there is not. Astrotrufing seeks to manipulate you into changing your opinion by making you feel as if you’re an outlier when you’re not.”
While alternative, open source journalism continues to fortify the new paradigm of news and media, “ambush” journalism is keeping the story spinners and agenda driven reporters honest and paranoid. Luke Rudkowski of WeAreChange.org has perfected a unique and creative style that shows most high profile figures are hard pressed to truthfully answer simple questions away from the soft, non-probing embrace of access journalism. Rudkowski’s approach has almost single-handedly revealed access journalism for the watered-down, counterfeit it has become known for.
Access Journalism vs. Open Source
Access journalism means that the journalist/reporter is granted exclusive or early access to a story or individual. In exchange for the exclusivity and access, the journalist will give up part or all of their voice to scripted, framed and/or planted messages that position the story’s subject for a predetermined outcome. Simply put, access journalism says we’ll give you access if you write the story we tell you.
Emails recently obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the media outlet Gawker describe an exchanged between The Atlantic’s journalist Marc Ambinder, The Atlantic’s political editor and Hillary Clinton’s Senior advisor/spokesman Philippe Reines. According to Gawker’s investigative findings, Ambinder “outsourced his editorial judgement” in exchange for early access to a transcript of Clinton’s speech. Unfortunately, access journalism and scripted voices comprise a majority of the mainstream media. Original reporting and creativity are frowned upon and punished rapidly.
Recognizing that they are fighting a lost battle, the established, corporate funded and politically directed mainstream media has launched a nonstop astroturf campaign. According to former CBS correspondent and founder of Full Measure News Sharyl Attkisson, the aim of astroturf campaigns are “to create the appearance that there is support for or against an agenda when there is not. Astrotrufing seeks to manipulate you into changing your opinion by making you feel as if you’re an outlier when you’re not.”
While alternative, open source journalism continues to fortify the new paradigm of news and media, “ambush” journalism is keeping the story spinners and agenda driven reporters honest and paranoid. Luke Rudkowski of WeAreChange.org has perfected a unique and creative style that shows most high profile figures are hard pressed to truthfully answer simple questions away from the soft, non-probing embrace of access journalism. Rudkowski’s approach has almost single-handedly revealed access journalism for the watered-down, counterfeit it has become known for.
As the alternative media and the growing legions of open-source and independent journalists grow, the public narrative has changed. Global internet access and social media is allowing this hungry new breed to jump on stories instantly before the mainstream can spin facts or frame outcomes. Around every corner is the near instant debunking, factual questioning and logical analysis of any story the mainstream attempts to falsely report. For those established outlets that lie by omission, report half-truths and regularly frame stories sympathetic to power, they are revealing their transparency. These walking dead zombies of past media influence are kept alive only by government bailouts and toxic doses of pharmaceutical manufacturer and defense contractor ad placement.
Open Information to All: A Blockchain Media Solution
The question moving forward will eventually come down to data. Will information be open and accessible to all or will gatekeepers, third-parties and middlemen dictate to the public a narrow window to focus on? Tax dodging Apple Inc. is currently battling the US government to maintain control of its user’s data from federal jackals desperate to solidify a data-grabbing legal precedent. Blockchain technology, the backbone and engine of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, offers distinct advantages to media platforms and individual journalists of this new open-source paradigm. Ideas from companies like DECENT are knocking at the door of future media content and distribution by leveraging blockchain technology. DECENT is a decentralized content distribution platform that is open-source and utilizes the blockchain to ensure security, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, trust and transparency.
To be clear, the term “new journalism” is anything but new. In 1973, Tom Wolfe attempted to define and assume leadership of the idea by publishing the book new journalism. That was until real journalists defended their positions by recoiling against such a label or fad concept.
Each generation, in its search for trusted voices, integrity and authentic discussion surrounding the pivotal events of the times reaches towards creative innovation and unique individuals. The journalist of today is equipped at every turn with perhaps the greatest chance in history to swing the public consciousness towards greater truth, transparency and accountability of those at every level of power.
“Walk tall, kick ass, learn to speak Arabic, love music and never forget you come from a long line of truth seekers, lovers and warriors.” ― Hunter S. Thompson
Open Information to All: A Blockchain Media Solution
The question moving forward will eventually come down to data. Will information be open and accessible to all or will gatekeepers, third-parties and middlemen dictate to the public a narrow window to focus on? Tax dodging Apple Inc. is currently battling the US government to maintain control of its user’s data from federal jackals desperate to solidify a data-grabbing legal precedent. Blockchain technology, the backbone and engine of the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, offers distinct advantages to media platforms and individual journalists of this new open-source paradigm. Ideas from companies like DECENT are knocking at the door of future media content and distribution by leveraging blockchain technology. DECENT is a decentralized content distribution platform that is open-source and utilizes the blockchain to ensure security, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, trust and transparency.
To be clear, the term “new journalism” is anything but new. In 1973, Tom Wolfe attempted to define and assume leadership of the idea by publishing the book new journalism. That was until real journalists defended their positions by recoiling against such a label or fad concept.
Each generation, in its search for trusted voices, integrity and authentic discussion surrounding the pivotal events of the times reaches towards creative innovation and unique individuals. The journalist of today is equipped at every turn with perhaps the greatest chance in history to swing the public consciousness towards greater truth, transparency and accountability of those at every level of power.
“Walk tall, kick ass, learn to speak Arabic, love music and never forget you come from a long line of truth seekers, lovers and warriors.” ― Hunter S. Thompson
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