Independent Media Institute

Programs: Alternet is an award-winning news magazine and online community that creates original journalism and amplifies the best of hundreds of other independent media sources. Alternets aim is to inspire action and advocacy on the environment, human rights and civil liberties, social justice, media, health care issues, and more. Since its inception in 1998, alternet. Org has grown dramatically to keep pace with the public demand for independent news. We provide free online content to millions of readers, serving as a reliable filter, keeping our vast audience well-informed and engaged, helping them to navigate a culture of information overload and providing an alternative to the commercial media onslaught. Our aim is to stimulate, inform, and instigate. Strong content: alternet publishes grassroots success stories and inspirational narratives alongside hard-hitting critiques of policies, investigative reports and expert analysis. We emphasize workable solutions to persistent social problems. Our editorial mix underscores a commitment to fairness, equality and global stewardship, and to making connections across generational, ethnic and issue lines. In order to provide deeper coverage on todays key issues, alternet features 12 special coverage areas, each with its own hub site, editor, and weekly newsletter. Huge readership and reach:alternet receives more than 6. 1 million unique monthly visitors and more than 14 million monthly page views. Alternets readers comprise a strong base, who help virally spread alternet content to their networks by forwarding stories and emailing links. Many of alternets readers come from search engines (like google) and social media sites (such as facebook or twitter), a testament to the fact that alternet reaches beyond the typical choir of progressive readers. Building a strong community and influence on the web:alternet is successful at building community, as well as influence. Over 50,000 commenters are registered on the site, and many of our stories receive hundreds of comments from these dedicated readers. According to google (the recognized authority on the topic), more than 1. 2 million web pages link to alternet content, driving traffic back to our site, and virally marketing our content across the web. Connecting readers to opportunities for action:alternet provides its readers with pathways to action. We help connect our readers to opportunities to make change, be it through specific action campaigns, signing petitions, or by learning about the grassroots efforts of groups engaged in the work. Financial stability & sustainability:financial stability is important to alternet. More than 40 percent of our annual operating budget is self-generated through our advertising program and online donor program, both of which are leveraged by our large traffic. We are dedicated to business growth, and our budget has grown consistently over the past decade, as we have increased our earned income level. Strategic journalism:alternet has developed a unique model of journalism to confront the failures of corporate media, as well as the vitriol and disinformation of right wing media, especially hate talk media. Not only do we keep our readers highly informed on a wide array of topics, from hundreds of experts and sources, but we also provide laser focus on the most compelling issues of the day. We offer our readers comprehensive information, a positive vision for the future, and concrete action steps towards change. Alternet believes that media must have a higher purpose beyond the essential goal of keeping people informed. We insist on playing an active role in helping our community funnel its energy into change.