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Independent Perspectives: War in Iraq

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Posted on April 8, 2003

April 4, 2003

MediaRights.org believes strongly in the power of media to promote social change and to inspire initiative. In this time of extreme peril for Iraqis, Americans and the global community, we encourage our members to come together, speak out, and make their opinions heard.

In this article MediaRights.org showcases links to organizations and communities that are working around the clock to provide alternative perspectives. Continued hopes for peace from everyone at MediaRights.org

WireTap WireTap is the independent information source by and for socially conscious youth. They showcase investigative news articles, personal essays and opinions, artwork and activism resources that challenge stereotypes, inspire creativity, foster dialogue and give young people a voice in the media. Hear what "Youth in search of the dirty truth" have to say. (Link)

Demand Media DemandMedia.net offers a humble definition of itself - "The general idea is you see a cool video somewhere on the web and submit it." Completely community driven, the site features streaming video of protests live from around the world along side archival footage of protests that went on 10 years ago. The site was designed for "Netizens" who just wanted good video without walking a gauntlet of advertising. (Link)

photo by david jacobs

Blogs Against The War Blogs Against War aggregates posts for peace across a growing number of weblogs. A diverse array of voices from BBC reporters in Iraq to teenagers in Michigan have been "blogging" their responses and views to the war and its impact on our culture. "Ping" the site and get automatically listed in this incredible directory. (Link)

OneWorld.net OneWorld.net looks at the roots of conflict and the hopes for peace through the work of over 1,500 organizations dedicated to human rights and sustainable development around the world. The Iraq Conflict Special Report focuses on the economic, political, and humanitarian consequences of the war. (Link)

PBS In response to the war with Iraq, this special issue highlights PBS' televised coverage and analysis of unfolding events, as well as online resources related to the situation. Double-check your local PBS station's listings. (Link)

Capital Eye Capital Eye is a project of The Center for Responsive Politics, a non-partisan, non-profit research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics, and its effect on elections and public policy. The Center conducts computer-based research on campaign finance issues for the news media, academics, activists, and the public at large. The Center's work is aimed at creating a more educated voter, an involved citizenry, and a more responsive government. At Capital Eye's "Post War Profits," find out about how a handful of construction firms have gotten an early invitation to rebuild Iraq. (Link)

World Link WorldLink TV is a national network offering a global perspective on news, current events and culture, presenting viewpoints seldom covered in the U.S. media. World Link presents first-run documentaries on global issues, current affairs series, international news, classic foreign feature films, and the best of world music. Check DirectTV and DeepDish lisitngs for their coverage of world news from the Middle East (Link)

FreeSpeechTV Working with activists and artists, Free Speech TV uses television to cultivate an informed and active citizenry in order to advance progressive social change. FSTV airs primarily social, political, cultural, and environmental documentaries acquired from independent producers, and they produce and commission original content. On DISH Network watch "Mobile Eyes: Resisting War and Repression" (Link)

Guerrilla News Network Guerilla News Network is an award -winning independent alternative news organization committed to exposing people of all ages to important global issues-free from corporate filters-through innovative, music-driven, multi-platform news/documentary programming. (Link)

This American Life This weekly, hour long radio show documents everyday life in the United States. We sometimes think of it as a documentary show for people who normally hate documentaries. A public radio show for people who don't necessarily care for public radio. Listen to The Balloon Goes Up segment, if you missed it last week. (Link)

The Independent Media Center The IMC is a network of collectively run media outlets for the creation of radical, objective, and passionate tellings of the truth. The IMC describes their mission to work: "out of a love and inspiration for people to who continue to work for a better world, despite corporate media's distortions and unwillingness to cover the efforts to free humanity." The Independent Media Center has a variety of media to choose from, check out the anti-war movement through print, radio, photos, or video. (Link)

Michael Moore Visit Michael Moore's home page, The Academy Award winner for Best Documentary, "Bowling for Columbine." Michael Moore is a filmmaker, writer and political activist. His Web site contains links to anti-war movement video and audio reels. There is also an audio link to his Oscar acceptance speech denouncing the war. Michael Moore's Web site gets about 20 million hits a day, more than the White House Web site. (Link)

Democracy Now! Democracy Now! is a national, listener-sponsored public radio and TV show, pioneering the largest community media collaboration in the country. Democracy Now! airs Monday-Friday on over 120 stations including Pacifica radio stations, Pacifica affiliates, WBIX.org, public access TV stations, Free Speech TV and Shortwave Radio (Radio for Peace International). Due to popular demand, Democracy Now!'s War and Peace Report is now available from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. (Link)

Global Exchange Global Exchange is a nonprofit, research and action organization that's dedicated to creating people to people ties around the world. Recently, a large portion of the work at Global Exchange has been dedicated to promoting peace in Iraq. The Global Exchange Web site offers daily updates on the war and provides ways to protest the war. (Link)

The Agonist The Agonist, may be the most timely corporate-free news out there with updates and breaking news every 20 minutes. The community that participates is proactive and vibrant. (Link)