Editing AlterNet

{{short description|Left-leaning news website}}
{{use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox website
| name = AlterNet
| logo = AlterNet-logo.png
| commercial = No
| type = Progressive news website
| registration = Optional
| owner = Alternet Media, Inc.<br />[[John K. Byrne]]<br />[[Michael Rogers (publisher)|Michael Rogers]]
| author = Independent Media Institute
| editor = Roxanne Cooper
| launch_date = {{start date and age|df=yes|1987|11|}}<ref name=about>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970222072340/http://www.alternet.org/aboutalter.html|archive-date=Feb 22, 1997|url=http://www.alternet.org/aboutalter.html|title=About AlterNet|agency=AlterNet|quote=Launched in November 1987 by the Institute for Alternative Journalism (IAJ)...}}</ref>
| current_status = Active
| url = {{URL|http://www.alternet.org/}}
}}
'''AlterNet''' is a [[Left-wing politics|left-leaning]] news website based in the United States.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hernandez |first1=Salvador |last2=Lewis |first2=Cora |title=Progressive Media Executive Don Hazen Resigns After Five Women Accused Him of Sexual Harassment |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/left-leaning-media-executive-resigns-after-six-women |access-date=29 December 2018 |publisher=BuzzFeed News |date=27 December 2017 |archive-date=January 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105125845/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/salvadorhernandez/left-leaning-media-executive-resigns-after-six-women |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Sheffield |first1=Matthew |title=Fake news" or free speech: Is Google cracking down on left media? |url=https://www.salon.com/2017/10/18/fake-news-or-free-speech-is-google-cracking-down-on-left-media/ |access-date=29 December 2018 |work=Salon |date=18 October 2017 |archive-date=October 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171024042648/https://www.salon.com/2017/10/18/fake-news-or-free-speech-is-google-cracking-down-on-left-media/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was launched by the Independent Media Institute.<ref>{{cite web |title=AlterNet.org |url=https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0020215/ |website=Library of Congress |access-date=30 November 2020 |archive-date=December 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213013924/https://www.loc.gov/item/lcwaN0020215/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the website was acquired by owners of ''[[Raw Story]]''.

==Coverage==
Coverage is divided into several special sections related to progressive news and culture, including News & Politics, World, Economy, Civil Liberties, Immigration, [[Reproductive Justice]], Economy, Environment, Animal Rights, Food, Water, Books, Media and Culture, Belief, Drugs, Personal Health, Sex and Relationships, Vision, and Investigations.<ref name="albionmonitor.com">{{cite web|url=http://albionmonitor.com/9801a/97mediahero.html|title=(1/3/98) 1997 Media Heroes|website=albionmonitor.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232035/http://albionmonitor.com/9801a/97mediahero.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

AlterNet publishes original content and also makes use of "[[alternative media]]", sourcing columns from ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'', ''[[Common Dreams]]'', ''[[Consortiumnews]]'', ''[[Truthdig]]'', ''[[Truthout]]'', ''[[Tom Engelhardt|TomDispatch]]'', ''[[The Washington Spectator]]'', ''[[Center for Public Integrity]]'', ''[[Democracy Now!]]'', ''[[Asia Times]]'', ''[[New America Media]]'' and ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]''.

==Finances==
Until April 2018, AlterNet was financed through individual donations, by grants from major donors, and ad revenue.<ref name=kawamoto/> In 2014, the top financial backers of the Independent Media Institute were Cloud Mountain Foundation, Craigslist Charitable Fund, [[Drug Policy Alliance]], Madison Community Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation, New World Foundation, Panta Rhea Foundation, [[Park Foundation]] and Roseben Fund.<ref>AlterNet.org, ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20170110102625/https://blogs.alternet.org/alternets-supporting-foundations/ "AlterNet Supporting Foundations"]''</ref>

== History ==
{{Moresources | section|date=June 2024}}
{{Progressivism sidebar}}

=== Independent Media Institute ===
AlterNet was founded in the fall of 1987 by the Institute for Alternative Journalism (IAJ),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no94003172|title=Institute for Alternative Journalism [WorldCat Identities]|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-date=June 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621015817/http://worldcat.org/identities/lccn-no94003172/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=about /> which was incorporated in December 1983 with a mission to serve as a clearinghouse for important local stories generated by the members of the [[Association of Alternative Newsweeklies]] (AAN). 

The founding editor of AlterNet was Alan Green, who with his deputy, Margaret Engle, created print and electronic mechanisms to syndicate both the works of AAN papers and freelance contributors, among them [[Michael Moore]] and [[Abbie Hoffman]]. Engle took over for Green in 1989 and ran the news service until 1993, in that time dramatically expanding AlterNet's base of contributors and client newspapers. Upon her resignation, Engle was succeeded by Don Hazen, who had been hired by IAJ in 1991 to be its first executive director. AlterNet publishes a combination of policy critiques, investigative reports and analysis, grassroots success stories, and personal narratives. Christine Triano was associate director of the Institute for Alternative Journalism, in 1996.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/16/business/in-los-angeles-war-of-weeklies-erupts.html|title=In Los Angeles, War of Weeklies Erupts|first=Andrea|last=Adelson|website=The New York Times|date=16 September 1996|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232042/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/16/business/in-los-angeles-war-of-weeklies-erupts.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="the-independent-media-institute">{{cite web|url=http://www.alternet.org/the-independent-media-institute|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170531134647/http://www.alternet.org/the-independent-media-institute|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 May 2017|title=The Independent Media Institute - Alternet|date=31 May 2017|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref>

''Media Heroes'' are annual awards by the Institute for Alternative Journalism.<ref name="albionmonitor.com" /> [[Frederick Clarkson]] was named among the "Media Heroes of 1992"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/1/31/162026/484|title=&#124; Interview with the Blogger, Part 1|access-date=2 September 2020|archive-date=September 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901113136/http://www.talk2action.org/story/2007/1/31/162026/484|url-status=live}}</ref> James Danky was named a Media Hero in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://experts.news.wisc.edu/experts/james-danky|title=James Danky :: UW–Madison Experts|website=experts.news.wisc.edu|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref> In 1995, Media Heroes awards went to Public Media Center, [[Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting]], Institute for Global Communications, Janine Jackson, [[Laura Flanders]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4thmedia.org/2011/01/the-violence-of-the-broken-economy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920114931/http://www.4thmedia.org/2011/01/the-violence-of-the-broken-economy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=20 September 2015|title=The 4th Media » The Violence of the Broken Economy|date=20 September 2015|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref> [[CounterSpin (radio program)|CounterSpin]], Gary Delgado, [[David Barsamian]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://taosnews.com/stories/david-barsamian-to-speak-in-taos,43541|title=David Barsamian to speak in Taos|website=taosnews.com|date=8 October 2017|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=August 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806054038/https://taosnews.com/stories/david-barsamian-to-speak-in-taos,43541|url-status=live}}</ref> Alternative Radio, Haiti Truth Team, [[Salim Muwakkil]], John Schwartz, and Artists for a Hate Free America were presented in MediaCulture Review, January/February 1995<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~mernst/media/mediaculture-review-heroes.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990117014012/http://theory.lcs.mit.edu/~mernst/media/mediaculture-review-heroes.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 1999|title=Ten Media Heroes|date=17 January 1999|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref> 

In 1996, Leslie Savan was named one of "The Top Ten Media Heroes".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/47087/leslie-savan|title=Leslie Savan - Penguin Random House|website=www.penguinrandomhouse.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=September 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926130647/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/47087/leslie-savan|url-status=live}}</ref> Patricia Scott, and Julie Drizin were named to the "Top Ten Media Heroes of 1996"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pacifica.org/about_history.php|title=The Pacifica Foundation|website=www.pacifica.org|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180630112618/http://www.pacifica.org/about_history.php|url-status=live}}</ref> Paul Klite, Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Media Watch, received a Media Hero Award from the Institute for Alternative Journalism in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bigmedia.org/texts9.html|title=Paul Klite Obituary|website=bigmedia.org|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=October 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031003752/http://bigmedia.org/texts9.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Amy Goodman]], [[Bob Herbert]], ''[[Detroit Sunday Journal]]'', [[Gary Webb]], [[Herbert Schiller]], [[James Ridgeway]], [[Karl Grossman]], [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], [[Norman Solomon]], and [[Urvashi Vaid]] received the 1997 Media Hero Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.albionmonitor.com/9801a/97mediahero.html|date=January 3, 1998|title=1997 Media Heroes|website=albionmonitor.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620232035/http://albionmonitor.com/9801a/97mediahero.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1997, Media Heroes awards were presented at the second Media & Democracy Congress.<ref name="albionmonitor.com" /> The Institute for Alternative Journalism named Barsamian one of its Top Ten Media Heroes.

The IAJ became the Independent Media Institute some time before December 1999.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://aan.org/aan/a-report-from-the-imi-board-meeting/|title=A Report From the IMI Board Meeting • Association of Alternative Newsmedia|date=9 December 1999|work=Association of Alternative Newsmedia|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en-US|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013920/http://aan.org/aan/a-report-from-the-imi-board-meeting/|url-status=live}}</ref> After the sale of AlterNet to the new company, AlterNet Media in April 2018, the Independent Media Institute<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bowdoin.edu/~samato/IRA/reviews/issues/oct01/alternet-rev.html|title=Internet Review: AlterNet|website=www.bowdoin.edu|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027150724/http://www.bowdoin.edu/~samato/IRA/reviews/issues/oct01/alternet-rev.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bowdoin.edu/~samato/IRA/index.html|title=College and Research Libraries News Internet Reviews Archive|website=www.bowdoin.edu|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620203736/http://www.bowdoin.edu/~samato/IRA/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref> (IMI) launched a series of new programs<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://independentmediainstitute.org/projects-programs/|title=Projects & Programs - Independent Media Institute|work=Independent Media Institute|access-date=2018-10-10|language=en-US|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013926/https://independentmediainstitute.org/projects-programs/|url-status=live}}</ref> including the Make It Right Project.

===Acquisition===
On April 9, 2018, it was announced that AlterNet was acquired by owners of ''Raw Story'', an online news organization, under the newly created company AlterNet Media. In an online statement, ''Raw Story'' founder [[John K. Byrne]] stated, "AlterNet will continue to carry content from the Independent Media Institute, its prior owner. Thus, much of the content you expect will remain the same. You will see articles by former AlterNet writers appearing with the Independent Media Institute byline." AlterNet Media later acquired the New Civil Rights Movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/raw-story-owners-buy-alternet|title=It's a new day for AlterNet|last=Byrne|first=John|date=9 April 2018|website=AlterNet|access-date=9 April 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410021031/https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/raw-story-owners-buy-alternet|archive-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="WSJ1">{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Lara|date=April 10, 2018|title=CMO Today: Zuckerberg's Congress Hearing; P&G to Build Cross-Holding Company Creative Agency; Movie Theaters Go Upmarket|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/cmo-today-zuckerbergs-congress-hearing-p-g-to-build-cross-holding-company-creative-agency-movie-theaters-go-upmarket-1523360495|access-date=June 27, 2021|url-access=subscription|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180410153940/https://www.wsj.com/articles/cmo-today-zuckerbergs-congress-hearing-p-g-to-build-cross-holding-company-creative-agency-movie-theaters-go-upmarket-1523360495|archive-date=April 10, 2018}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/about/ About] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124152649/https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/about/ |date=November 24, 2022 }}, New Civil Rights Movement. Accessed June 3, 2024.</ref>

==Staff==
=== Don Hazen ===
Don Hazen<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thenewpress.com/authors/don-hazen|title=Don Hazen - The New Press|website=thenewpress.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143519/https://thenewpress.com/authors/don-hazen|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/la-confidential/Content?oid=2169156|title=L.A. confidential|website=Detroit Metro Times|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144107/https://www.metrotimes.com/detroit/la-confidential/Content?oid=2169156|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/person/?donhazen|title=Don Hazen - C-SPAN.org|website=www.c-span.org|access-date=June 4, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141414/https://www.c-span.org/person/?donhazen|url-status=live}}</ref> was hired by San Francisco's<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/1997/10/confab-seeks-cure-for-journalisms-crisis/|title=Confab Seeks Cure for Journalism's 'Crisis'|magazine=Wired|access-date=26 September 2018|last1=Silverman|first1=Jason|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612151507/https://www.wired.com/1997/10/confab-seeks-cure-for-journalisms-crisis/|url-status=live}}</ref> Institute for Alternative Journalism in 1991 as its first executive director. The AlterNet editorial staff was headed by executive editor Hazen,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://web.mit.edu/CIS/press_release_alternet.html|title=MIT CIS: Spotlight Archive|website=web.mit.edu|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=August 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820231407/http://web.mit.edu/cis/press_release_alternet.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1017782317.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050422201203/http://www.ojr.org/ojr/ethics/1017782317.php|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 April 2005|title=OJR article: The Wired Left Awakens|date=22 April 2005|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1309876|title=Independent Media Institute - GuideStar Profile|website=guidestar.org|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143828/https://www.guidestar.org/profile/52-1309876|url-status=live}}</ref> a former publisher of ''[[Mother Jones (magazine)|Mother Jones]]'', until December 2017 when he was placed on indefinite leave by the Independent Media Institute's Board of Directors due to sexual harassment allegations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/a/sexual-harassment-assault-allegations-list/don-hazen|title=Sexual misconduct allegations against former Alternet executive editor Don Hazen|first=Anna|last=North|date=22 December 2017|website=vox.com|access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref><ref name=kawamoto>Melissa A. Wall, "Social Movements and the net: Activist Journalism Goes Digital", in Kevin Kawamoto (ed, 2003), ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=dG9vHwHyDFUC&dq=alternet&pg=PA113 Digital Journalism: Emerging media and the Changing Horizons of Journalism]'', Rowman & Littlefield Publishers</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/coralewis/don-hazen|title=Five Women Are Accusing A Top Left-Leaning Media Executive of Sexually Harassing Them|website=buzzfeed.com|date=21 December 2017 |access-date=26 September 2018}}</ref> Following the allegations, Hazen resigned on 22 December 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rawstory.com/2017/12/don-hazen-resigns/|title=Don Hazen resigns as publisher of progressive news site AlterNet|date=22 December 2017|website=rawstory.com}}</ref><!-- https://spinacademy.org/ --> An episode of the public radio program ''[[This American Life]]'', "Five Women",<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thisamericanlife.org/640/five-women|title=Episode 640 'Five Women'|date=23 February 2018|website=[[This American Life]]|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180609065422/https://www.thisamericanlife.org/640/five-women|url-status=live}}</ref> recounts alleged sexual harassment in the workplace by Hazen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/don-hazen-accused-sexual-harassment_us_5a3ad9d1e4b06d1621b192d8|title=Several Women Accuse Progressive Media Executive Don Hazen of Sexual Harassment|first=Carla|last=Herreria|date=22 December 2017|access-date=26 September 2018|work=HuffPost|archive-date=May 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531235453/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/don-hazen-accused-sexual-harassment_us_5a3ad9d1e4b06d1621b192d8|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediate.com/articles/landejbl20180322.cfm|title=Conflict in Context|date=23 March 2018|publisher=www.mediate.com|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141202/https://www.mediate.com/articles/landejbl20180322.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/message-alternets-board-directors|title=A Message from AlterNet's Board of Directors|date=22 December 2017|access-date=26 September 2018|via=AlterNet|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140726/https://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/message-alternets-board-directors|url-status=live}}</ref>
<!-- https://www.narconews.com/alternetpapers.html http://freepacifica.savegrassrootsradio.org/fp/follow~1.html Association of Alternative Newsweeklies created a nonprofit, ''Institute for Alternative Journalism'' about 1988 to run a wire service  http://www.sfweekly.com/news/letters-79/-->

==Awards and recognition==
*[[Webby Awards]]
**Nominated: 2002, 2004
**Winner: 2003, 2005
**Official Honoree (Politics section), 2008<ref>[[Webby Awards]], [http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=96&category_id=50&season=12 12th Annual Webby Awards Official Honoree Selections] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611140320/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current_honorees.php?media_id=96&category_id=50&season=12 |date=11 June 2008 }}</ref>
*[[Utne Reader#Utne Independent Press Awards|Utne Independent Press Awards]]
**Nominated: 2004, 2005
**Winner: 2002, 2003 (Reader's Choice)
*One of [[National Public Radio|NPR]]'s five "best on the internet", 2001<ref name=NPR>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2001/jul/010702.karr.html |title=Media Online: A Few Firms Thrive While Many Fail |date=3 July 2001 |work=NPR |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-date=August 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804133232/https://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2001/jul/010702.karr.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Books==
<!-- In ascending chronological order seems to make the most sense. -->
* {{Cite book |editor1-last=Hazen |editor1-first=Don |editor2-last=Winokur |editor2-first=Julie |date=1997 |title=We the Media: A Citizens' Guide to Fighting for Media Democracy |location=New York |publisher=The New Press |isbn=978-1-56584-380-6 |oclc=807833771}}
* {{Cite book |editor1-last=Hazen |editor1-first=Don |year=2001 |title=After 9/11: Solutions for a Saner World |df=dmy-all |location=San Francisco, Calif |publisher=AlterNet.org |isbn=0-9633687-1-0 |oclc=894785867}}
* {{cite book |last1=Scheer |first1=Christopher |author2=Lakshmi Chaudhry and Robert Scheer |year=2003 |title=The Five Biggest Lies Bush Told Us About Iraq |df=dmy |location=New York |publisher=Seven Stories and Akashic Books |isbn=1-58322-644-3 |oclc=56044650}}
* {{cite book |last1=Hazen |first1=Don |author2=and Lakshmi Chaudhry |year=2005 |title=Start Making Sense: Turning the Lessons of Election 2004 into Winning Progressive Politics |location=White River Junction, Vt. |publisher=Chelsea Green Pub. Co. |isbn=978-1-931498-84-5 |oclc=835761618}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commons category-inline}}
*{{official|http://www.alternet.org}}
*[http://web.asc.upenn.edu/gerbner/archive.aspx?sectionID=117&packageID=590 Institute for Alternative Journalism] - [[Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alternet}}
[[Category:Alternative journalism organizations]]
[[Category:American news websites]]
[[Category:American political websites]]
[[Category:Internet properties established in 1998]]
[[Category:News agencies based in the United States]]
[[Category:Progressive organizations in the United States]]