New TV News Channel in 2007

[Eric J in MN]

A new television news channel is planned for 2007. They are seeking donations from the public now.

"Independent World Television" has advisors including Amy Goodman of "Democracy Now" and Janeane Garofalo of "Air America Radio."

The IWT website debuted today, with this statement on their front page:

The Problem

Serious news and full-spectrum debate—on which democracy depends—are disappearing from television. Across the globe, news media ownership is concentrated in the hands of a few entertainment conglomerates whose interests determine news coverage. They promote superficial "infotainment" over tough investigation, context and holding authority accountable. Public broadcasters face shrinking budgets and growing political and commercial pressures.

The Solution

We must change the economics of journalism.

We need a news and current affairs network which defends the public interest and the highest standards of journalism. Independent World Television will be such a network -- a non-profit broadcast service financed by its viewers across the globe, independent of corporate or government funding and commercial advertising.

Why Hasn't This Happened Before?

There were no means to directly engage people around the world to raise the funds. Now, the Internet allows millions to band together and raise capital to compete with corporate media outlets. Think of the 15 million people worldwide who demonstrated against war in Iraq on one day in 2003. Think of the Internet fundraising successes of MoveOn.org and the Howard Dean presidential campaign (senior Dean fundraisers are organizing IWTnews' fundraising campaign).

Launch Plan

The network is raising a $7 million start-up budget from individual donors and foundations. MacArthur, Ford and Haas foundations have contributed to a planning study. In its next phase, IWTnews will launch its web site and build the online community necessary for the international mass fundraising campaign launching in early 2006. The campaign will use concerts and media events headlined by socially-conscious celebrities to drive the Internet fundraising. If half a million people in the entire world contribute just $50, IWTnews will secure the $25 million it needs to fund its first year of broadcasting, in 2007.

Programming

To be seen on its own digital television channel and the web, IWTnews is also negotiating alliances with public and nonprofit channels to carry its programming. IWTnews will cover the big issues - war and peace, political campaigns, environment, global economy, civil rights, labor issues and social policy. IWTnews will hire journalists for their experience, political acumen and understanding of history. Complex issues will be addressed with energy, bite and wit. Citizen journalism will bring insight from people around the world. Informed by a commitment to social justice and respecting diversity of opinion, IWTnews will focus on news other media ignore or suppress and on individuals and groups who are transforming the world.

PBS gets its funding from the government, corporations, foundations, and individuals. I've long wondered if it wouldn't be better if they got their donations only from individuals, to reduce government and corporate influence.

With "Independent World Televison" we have an experiment in that model. IWT is getting startup money from foundations (MacArthur, Ford and Haas foundations), but hopefully their future money will only be from individuals.

I'm planning to donate to “Independent World Televison” today with the link on the top-right of the main page.


I wrote this for SpeakSpeak News

[Eric J in MN]

1. I just donated at

http://www.iwtnews.com/contribute

[NYPagan]

4. I gave, just a little..

but it was all I could afford.

Lets get some real news on to counter the FAUX news idiocy.

[Eric J in MN]

6. Thank you (nt)

nt

[faithnotgreed]

2. this is important - keep it kicked

with people like amy goodman and upper level dean fundraisers etc involved then we have a shot at something real here

[KharmaTrain]

3. It's CPB That Does The Funding

PBS and NPR get the money to do the programming. There's a yes/no answer to your question.

Individuals could start up their own networks and stations, but, as you see...fundraising becomes as important a focus as the content. It also becomes a long-term problem as donations are not reliable and guaranteed. You're asking 1,000 or 10,000 people to maintain a constant stream of revenue...very much like herding cats. That's why you great ventures go down in flames as money supercedes all else.

Most public stations are autonomous in their programming...relying on CPB as one form of funding, along with state, corporate and private donations. This is a system that's kept public broadcasting stable...put let one of these legs drop, then serious problems can and do develop. Sadly, too many of the large public stations have become top heavy on the corporate donations, as has PBS, and through their checkbooks they can affect what programs are aired.

I wish these folks, as I have many others, the best of luck. The more voices out there the better. But, again, I see a noble venture headed for endless financial gymnastics if it to make it to the air and then stay there.

I'd suggest watching "Left Of The Dial"...it shows just a glimpse (and a very good one) at the money side of the biz. Altruism and idealism is all well and good, but it doesn't pay medical or salaries or for equipment and so on. There have to be accomodations with the "corporate world", and to establish broadcast systems with various revenue sources...fueling special projects with revenues generated by more profitable ventures. But that's another thread...definite for another message board. LOL.

Cheers!

[zbdent]

5. Problem is, we need this in 06

to hit the Repukes where it hurts . . . the voters who get all their info from cable . . .

[SoCalDem]

7. Murdoch/Mellon-Scaife/Sun Myung Moon

have funded righties for decades.. we need our own "sugar daddies".. THIS is what Soros should be doing with his money.. and Bono..and Gore (his little venture will fizzle).....

The MESSAGE and getting it out to the public affects EVERYTHING..

It may be wonderfully altruistic to donate to causes, but when the mass media portrays your donations and efforts as insignificant and even unnecessary (environment comes to mind), we are missing out on the donations of THOSE people (had their minds not been poisoned for a generation)..

Does anyone really think that republicans want to breathe bad air? They have been conditioned to either think that they will be raptured soon anyway, or that there is "plenty of time" to study the non-problem.. (until they get sick)..

[Eric J in MN]

8. self-deleted nt

nt