Independent World Television
Encyclopedia
The Real News is a member-supported English language progressive
, global online video news
network. Launched in 2007 by Paul Jay
, who produced CounterSpin, a news program that aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
and founding Chair of the Hot Docs! international documentary film festival, The Real News Network is "focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism", on "the critical issues of our times".
The Real News Network relies on supporters' donations, and does not accept funding from advertising, government or corporations. It also receives funding from grants and foundations.
The Real News Network uses internet broadcasting
, but it has contracts with satellite
and cable television
channels which it intends to use for broadcast once it reaches its first sustainability goal of 50,000 supporters. The Real News is based in Washington D.C., with bureaus in Baltimore
and Toronto
.
s to frame debate. Their editorial policies in practice result in focus on issues affecting less powerful people, children, indigenous people, immigrants, women, and laborers. Human rights
and environmental
issues, topics on religious freedom and freedom of conscience, movements for moral and spiritual values, against war
, and against racism
usually get daily coverage.
While covering people in high office, The Real News attempts to seek the facts that they feel matter and not limit themselves to reporting what they believe their interlocutors want audiences to hear. In this way, and by bringing in well-informed guests, they hope to trigger debate which covers many aspects of an issue, avoids personal attacks and partisan rhetoric
without substance. The Real News also operates forums where their work can be debated and criticized, purportedly to remain aware of their own biases.
The Real News relies exclusively on supporters' donations, and does not accept funding from advertising, government or corporations.
interviewed The Real News senior editor Paul Jay
on PBS Foreign Exchange about the founding of The Real News Network. Jay stated that he founded the network primarily to counter the dominant news style that had emerged in the industry, one that had undergone a "gradual transition to a news operation that is as much about the bottom line of corporate news as the entertainment department is, but more so", resulting in critique and analysis generally undertaken within "narrow limits; for example, covering "ad-words" in campaign elections as opposed to direct quotes from those running for office. As such, he aims for The Real News Network to counter the rest of the industry by basing news on fact and reality to a degree that corporate news generally does not, and for The Real News Network to be funded by viewers as opposed to government subsidies and "corporate under-riding". At the beginning of the interview Jay hinted that he would like the way The Real News Network attempts to present the news to be the dominant way of presenting news within 25 years.
in a dedicated portion of the network's website.
Analysts, Journalists and contributors:
, Brave New Foundation, and Euro News.
The Real News frequently interviews economists, politicians and policy experts about breaking news.
The Real News Network also works with the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at University of Massachusetts Amherst, producing regular interviews and debates. These are aimed to "bring current economic issues into focus", by surveying "the full range of potential solutions to the current economic crisis, the economics of climate change, and PERI's long-term mission of bringing economic tools to bear to improve the daily lives of workers and families around the world" .
The Real News Network has partnered with Earthbeat Radio to produce video content to accompany Earthbeat's radio broadcast . Earthbeat host Daphne Wysham conducts interviews and produces content about environmental issues.
In 2011 The Real News Network partnered with Free Speech Radio News
. In this agreement, FSRN hosts TRNN’s daily content and vice versa
Progressivism
Progressivism is an umbrella term for a political ideology advocating or favoring social, political, and economic reform or changes. Progressivism is often viewed by some conservatives, constitutionalists, and libertarians to be in opposition to conservative or reactionary ideologies.The...
, global online video news
News media
The news media are those elements of the mass media that focus on delivering news to the general public or a target public.These include print media , broadcast news , and more recently the Internet .-Etymology:A medium is a carrier of something...
network. Launched in 2007 by Paul Jay
Paul Jay
Paul Jay is a journalist and filmmaker, and is creator and CEO of The Real News. Jay was born and raised in Toronto and holds dual-citizenship with the United States. Jay is the nephew of screenwriter Ted Allan.- Film and television work :...
, who produced CounterSpin, a news program that aired on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
and founding Chair of the Hot Docs! international documentary film festival, The Real News Network is "focused on providing independent and uncompromising journalism", on "the critical issues of our times".
The Real News Network relies on supporters' donations, and does not accept funding from advertising, government or corporations. It also receives funding from grants and foundations.
The Real News Network uses internet broadcasting
Internet Broadcasting
Internet Broadcasting , or IB, is a provider of Websites, content and advertising revenue solution to the largest and most successful media companies in the world. IB hosts over 70 local stations' sites, and co-produced NBCOlympics.com for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece and the 2006...
, but it has contracts with satellite
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
and cable television
Cable television
Cable television is a system of providing television programs to consumers via radio frequency signals transmitted to televisions through coaxial cables or digital light pulses through fixed optical fibers located on the subscriber's property, much like the over-the-air method used in traditional...
channels which it intends to use for broadcast once it reaches its first sustainability goal of 50,000 supporters. The Real News is based in Washington D.C., with bureaus in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
.
Stated goals
The stated goal of The Real News is to provide "independent and uncompromising" verifiable worldwide coverage of "the critical issues of our times". They aim to avoid what they consider to be pitfalls of mainstream journalism, such as a disproportionate focus on people in high office and reliance on official press releases or wire serviceWire Service
Wire Service is an American drama series that aired on ABC as part of its 1956-57 season lineup.-Synopsis:Wire Service focuses on three reporters for the fictional Trans-Globe wire service, which was similar to real-life news wire services such as the Associated Press and United Press International...
s to frame debate. Their editorial policies in practice result in focus on issues affecting less powerful people, children, indigenous people, immigrants, women, and laborers. Human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
and environmental
Natural environment
The natural environment encompasses all living and non-living things occurring naturally on Earth or some region thereof. It is an environment that encompasses the interaction of all living species....
issues, topics on religious freedom and freedom of conscience, movements for moral and spiritual values, against war
Anti-war
An anti-war movement is a social movement, usually in opposition to a particular nation's decision to start or carry on an armed conflict, unconditional of a maybe-existing just cause. The term can also refer to pacifism, which is the opposition to all use of military force during conflicts. Many...
, and against racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
usually get daily coverage.
While covering people in high office, The Real News attempts to seek the facts that they feel matter and not limit themselves to reporting what they believe their interlocutors want audiences to hear. In this way, and by bringing in well-informed guests, they hope to trigger debate which covers many aspects of an issue, avoids personal attacks and partisan rhetoric
Rhetoric
Rhetoric is the art of discourse, an art that aims to improve the facility of speakers or writers who attempt to inform, persuade, or motivate particular audiences in specific situations. As a subject of formal study and a productive civic practice, rhetoric has played a central role in the Western...
without substance. The Real News also operates forums where their work can be debated and criticized, purportedly to remain aware of their own biases.
The Real News relies exclusively on supporters' donations, and does not accept funding from advertising, government or corporations.
History
On August 10, 2008, Daljit DhaliwalDaljit Dhaliwal
Daljit Dhaliwal is a British newsreader and television presenter.Dhaliwal is currently one of the news presenters for the Al-Jazeera English news service and broadcasts from Washington DC. Previously, she was the anchor chair of Worldfocus on PBS, which aired its last broadcast on 2 April 2010...
interviewed The Real News senior editor Paul Jay
Paul Jay
Paul Jay is a journalist and filmmaker, and is creator and CEO of The Real News. Jay was born and raised in Toronto and holds dual-citizenship with the United States. Jay is the nephew of screenwriter Ted Allan.- Film and television work :...
on PBS Foreign Exchange about the founding of The Real News Network. Jay stated that he founded the network primarily to counter the dominant news style that had emerged in the industry, one that had undergone a "gradual transition to a news operation that is as much about the bottom line of corporate news as the entertainment department is, but more so", resulting in critique and analysis generally undertaken within "narrow limits; for example, covering "ad-words" in campaign elections as opposed to direct quotes from those running for office. As such, he aims for The Real News Network to counter the rest of the industry by basing news on fact and reality to a degree that corporate news generally does not, and for The Real News Network to be funded by viewers as opposed to government subsidies and "corporate under-riding". At the beginning of the interview Jay hinted that he would like the way The Real News Network attempts to present the news to be the dominant way of presenting news within 25 years.
Staff
The Real News features experienced professional journalists from all over the world. It is planning to host reports from volunteer-based citizen journalismCitizen journalism
Citizen journalism is the concept of members of the public "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information," according to the seminal 2003 report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information...
in a dedicated portion of the network's website.
Analysts, Journalists and contributors:
- Host and senior editor: Paul JayPaul JayPaul Jay is a journalist and filmmaker, and is creator and CEO of The Real News. Jay was born and raised in Toronto and holds dual-citizenship with the United States. Jay is the nephew of screenwriter Ted Allan.- Film and television work :...
- Executive Producer: Sharmini Peries
- Main journalists: Lia TarachanskyLia TarachanskyLia Tarachansky is a Canadian-Israeli video-journalist. She has published in both video and print form for a variety of publications, but primarily produces video reports for The Real News Network. Tarachansky is an example of what is known as a 'solo VJ', a video-journalist who works alone in...
covers Israel and Palestine from the region. David Dogherty covers American and Canadian Labour movements. Jesse FreestonJesse FreestonJesse Freeston is a Canadian video journalist and filmmaker. His work focuses primarily on social movements in North and Central America, but he has also done investigative work around topics such as the military-industrial complex, the global economic crisis, and undocumented migration...
covers a wide range of topics but specializes in Latin America and resource exploitation.
Content
The Real News Network aggregates news stories from around the world and frequently hosts content by the American News Project, Al Jazeera English, Democracy Now, GRITtvGRITtv
GRITtv is a television show hosted and founded by Laura Flanders. GRITtv is broadcast from New York City on Free Speech TV via Dish network and on public television stations nationwide, as well as online...
, Brave New Foundation, and Euro News.
The Real News frequently interviews economists, politicians and policy experts about breaking news.
Notable Guests
- Bill BlackWilliam K. BlackWilliam Kurt Black is an American lawyer, academic, author, and a former bank regulator. Black's expertise is in white-collar crime, public finance, regulation, and other topics in law and economics...
is an Associate Professor of Economics and Law at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. On July 17, 2010 The Real News published a discussion with Black about the deal that the US Securities and Exchange Commission created with Goldman SachsGoldman SachsThe Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. is an American multinational bulge bracket investment banking and securities firm that engages in global investment banking, securities, investment management, and other financial services primarily with institutional clients...
.
- Zbigniew BrzezinskiZbigniew BrzezinskiZbigniew Kazimierz Brzezinski is a Polish American political scientist, geostrategist, and statesman who served as United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981....
was the United States National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981 and became a leading voice against the "war on terror" during the Bush Administration. On January 17, 2010 The Real News published a interview with him about the Israeli threat to bomb Iranian Nuclear facilities and the American Strategy towards Iran .
- Noam ChomskyNoam ChomskyAvram Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and activist. He is an Institute Professor and Professor in the Department of Linguistics & Philosophy at MIT, where he has worked for over 50 years. Chomsky has been described as the "father of modern linguistics" and...
an American activist and an Institute Professor and professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyMassachusetts Institute of TechnologyThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. On March 26 2009, The Real News Network interviewed Chomsky about how the Obama AdministrationsPresidency of Barack ObamaThe Presidency of Barack Obama began at noon EST on January 20, 2009 when he became the 44th President of the United States. Obama was a United States Senator from Illinois at the time of his victory over Arizona Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election...
approach to economics is very similar to the Bush Administration .
- Donna EdwardsDonna EdwardsDonna F. Edwards is the U.S. Representative for , serving since a special election in 2008. She is a member of the Democratic Party...
is a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Maryland's 4th congressional district. On September 8, 2009, The Real News published an interview with Edwards discussing the resignation of Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Van JonesVan JonesAnthony Kapel "Van" Jones is an American environmental advocate, civil rights activist, and attorney. Jones is a co-founder of three non-profit organizations. In 1996, he founded the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, a California non-governmental organization working for alternatives to violence...
.
- James GalbraithJames K. GalbraithJames Kenneth Galbraith is an American economist who writes frequently for mainstream and liberal publications on economic topics. He is currently a professor at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and at the Department of Government, University of Texas at Austin. He is also a Senior...
is a professor of economics, at the University of Texas and was interviewed on September 10, 2008 about the economic platforms of Senator McCain and Senator Obama .
- Leo GerardLeo GerardLeo W. Gerard is a steelworker and a Canadian and American labor leader. He was elected president of the United Steelworkers in 2001, and is the second Canadian to head the union. He is also a vice president of the AFL-CIO....
is an American and Canadian labor leader and International President of the United Steel Workers . On July 8, 2009, The Real News Network published an interview with Gerard discussing how the public should fight for single-payer health care reform and the unionization legislation .
- Danny GloverDanny GloverDanny Lebern Glover is an American actor, film director, and political activist. Glover is perhaps best known for his role as Detective Roger Murtaugh in the Lethal Weapon film franchise.-Early life:...
is an American actor, film director, and activist. On October 28, 2008, The Real News interviewed Glover about Obama's progress and the importance on criticism in democracy .
- Dennis KucinichDennis KucinichDennis John Kucinich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1997. He was furthermore a candidate for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2004 and 2008 presidential elections....
, U.S. Congressman from Cleveland, Ohio and former candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, was interviewed by Paul Jay in April 2011 on the UN/US intervention in Libya and President Obama's economic policy.
- Norman LearNorman LearNorman Milton Lear is an American television writer and producer who produced such 1970s sitcoms as All in the Family, Sanford and Son, One Day at a Time, The Jeffersons, Good Times and Maude...
is an American television writer and producer. On March 19, 2008, The Real News Network published an interview with Lear about his active involvement in the group People for the American WayPeople For the American WayPeople For the American Way is a progressive advocacy group in the United States. Under U.S. tax code, People For the American Way is organized as a tax-exempt 501 non-profit organization.-Purpose:...
.
- Andre MarinAndré MarinAndré Marin is the Ombudsman of Ontario. He was appointed in April 2005 and reappointed in June 2010 to a second five-year term...
is the OmbudsmanOmbudsmanAn ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
of OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. On June 25, 2011, The Real News published an interview with Marin immediately after his annual report was published. The interview focused on the illegal government actions during the G20 .
- Ray McGovernRay McGovernRaymond McGovern is a retired CIA officer turned political activist. McGovern was a Federal employee under seven U.S. presidents over 27 years, presenting the morning intelligence briefings at the White House for many of them.-Early life:...
is a retired CIA officer who has evolved into a political activist. In an interview published on August 6, 2009, McGovern stated:
- Ralph NaderRalph NaderRalph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government....
is an American progressive political activist and five time candidate for the President of the United States. On November 5, 2008 The Real News published an interview with Nader about Senator Barack Obama's political prospects .
- Rand PaulRand PaulRandal Howard "Rand" Paul is the junior United States Senator for Kentucky. He is a member of the Republican Party. A member of the Tea Party movement, he describes himself as a "constitutional conservative" and a libertarian...
is the junior United States Senator for Kentucky. On January 14, 2008 The Real News published an interview with him discussing how the Republican Party has changed during the time that his father, Ron PaulRon PaulRonald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
, has been in office
- Ron PaulRon PaulRonald Ernest "Ron" Paul is an American physician, author and United States Congressman who is seeking to be the Republican Party candidate in the 2012 presidential election. Paul represents Texas's 14th congressional district, which covers an area south and southwest of Houston that includes...
is a Republican U.S. Congressman for Texas. The Real News published in interview with him on September 3, 2008 discussing his foreign policy views against the views of Senator John McCainJohn McCainJohn Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
- Susan Rice was the Senior Foreign Policy Advisor to Senator Barack Obama in his 2008 presidential campaign. On January 11, 2008 The Real News published an interview with her about the differences between Senator Obama's foreign policy from Senator Clinton's. >.
- Gore VidalGore VidalGore Vidal is an American author, playwright, essayist, screenwriter, and political activist. His third novel, The City and the Pillar , outraged mainstream critics as one of the first major American novels to feature unambiguous homosexuality...
is an American author who The Real News interviewed on August 6, 2007 about the imbalance between the general public's opinion and the media .
- Antonio VillaraigosaAntonio VillaraigosaAntonio Ramón Villaraigosa , born Antonio Ramón Villar, Jr., is the 41st and current Mayor of Los Angeles, California, the third Mexican American to have ever held office in the city of Los Angeles and the first in over 130 years. He is also the current president of the United States Conference of...
is the Mayor of Los Angeles. On January 10, 2008 The Real News interviewed him about why he supported Senator Hillary Clinton and his support for a "pathway for citizenship" to immigrants coming into the United States .
- Larry Wilkerson is the former Chief of Staff to Colin PowellColin PowellColin Luther Powell is an American statesman and a retired four-star general in the United States Army. He was the 65th United States Secretary of State, serving under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005. He was the first African American to serve in that position. During his military...
and now teaches at George Washington University. In June of 2011 The Real News produced an eight part series interviewing Wilkerson about his career and how it changed his outlook on United States politics .
- Howard ZinnHoward ZinnHoward Zinn was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. Before and during his tenure as a political science professor at Boston University from 1964-88 he wrote more than 20 books, which included his best-selling and influential A People's History of the United...
was an American historian, academic, author, playwright, and social activist. On October 22, 2008, The Real News published an interview with Zinn discussing presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Senator Barack Obama .
Partners
In 2010 The Real News announced that it is now collaborating with the McClatchy Newspapers Washington Bureau. The agreement " delivers The Real News stories to millions of viewers who visit McClatchy papers' websites" .The Real News Network also works with the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at University of Massachusetts Amherst, producing regular interviews and debates. These are aimed to "bring current economic issues into focus", by surveying "the full range of potential solutions to the current economic crisis, the economics of climate change, and PERI's long-term mission of bringing economic tools to bear to improve the daily lives of workers and families around the world" .
The Real News Network has partnered with Earthbeat Radio to produce video content to accompany Earthbeat's radio broadcast . Earthbeat host Daphne Wysham conducts interviews and produces content about environmental issues.
In 2011 The Real News Network partnered with Free Speech Radio News
Free Speech Radio News
Free Speech Radio News is an independently produced half hour daily national and international radio news program focusing on peace and social justice issues in the US and around the world. FSRN is collectively run by its workers and reporters...
. In this agreement, FSRN hosts TRNN’s daily content and vice versa
See also
- Independent mediaIndependent mediaIndependent media refers to any form of media, such as radio, television, newspapers or the Internet, that is free of influence by government or corporate interests. The term has varied applications...
- American News Project
- Watchdog journalismWatchdog journalismWatchdog journalism aims to hold accountable public personalities and institutions, whose functions impact social and political life. The term "lapdog journalism", for journalism biased in favour of personalities and institutions, is sometimes used as a conceptual opposite to watchdog...
- Corporate mediaCorporate media"Corporate media" is a term which refers to a system of mass media production, distribution, ownership, and funding which is dominated by corporations and their CEOs....
- Alternative mediaAlternative mediaAlternative media are media which provide alternative information to the mainstream media in a given context, whether the mainstream media are commercial, publicly supported, or government-owned...
- Citizen journalismCitizen journalismCitizen journalism is the concept of members of the public "playing an active role in the process of collecting, reporting, analyzing and disseminating news and information," according to the seminal 2003 report We Media: How Audiences are Shaping the Future of News and Information...
External links
- The Real News on YouTube.com
- The Misleading News
- McClatchy Newspapers Washington Bureau
- Thom Hartmann is interviewed by Paul Jay of The Real News at Radio Row on Primary Day in NH - 8 January 2008