ABSTRACT
This chapter begins from pessimism. It begins by arguing that the history of alternative media is predominantly one of failure: failure to reach any but the most specialist of audiences and a consequent failure to effect the political and social transformations that represent the ambition of so many of its projects. However, I do not wish simply to reproduce past arguments here. Emerging forms of journalism and user-generated content have begun to engage with traditional media. This chapter will examine how newer ways of doing journalism are interacting with established forms. Recent developments in journalism have emphasized the role of citizens as sources, as content providers and as reporters. Some of the most conspicuous of these developments have taken place within professionalized media. Is this perhaps a more fruitful location for alternative media practices than we might think?
