Alternative media offering up a tasty smorgasbord of news and opinion

It is ironic that in the pages in this journal Professor David Flint describes these same people as an “uncontrollable commentariat, freer than ever before from editorial and managerial control”, when the genesis of a great deal of alternative media can be found in an opposing view: that is the commentariat continues to be subject a great deal of control, both editorially and managerially.

They are predictable, thematic and dominated by a few players who reflect a sad tendency to “group think”. And many of them cling with great tenacity to their own particular hobby-horse. Like most domestic cooks, with the odd signature recipe up their sleeve and a slim repertoire of meals, our journalists and commentators are equally limited in the range and variety of ideas and issues offered the media hungry public.

The letters pages of the larger dailies and talk back radio might be represented as a forum for public debate but are very poor vehicles for community contribution when compared to alternative media platforms. Publication of a comment in the “letters” pages is often a lottery and always subject to editorial whim. And talk back radio is often reduced to a series of affirmations, the tedious support of the “shock jock” and compromised by the need to entertain and move quickly onto the next issue or advertisement.

Alternative media is well placed where it is. In the main it is outside the tent pissing in. It will inevitably grow and grow in an unpredictable manner. New players can move in and out seamlessly without enduring the usual rites of passage. New ideas can see the light of day, be assessed, adopted or discarded. The important thing is that they have had exposure. Alternative media has already challenged the mainstream players. It provides real access to commentary and allows people to become more than mere consumers of pre-packaged news and the views of a dominant few. It is those elements, unique to many forms of alternative media that will continue to engage the average person interested in a meaningful exchange of news and ideas.