Looking at alternative viewpointsLibrary workshop for POLS 3760 10 September 2014

Chris Chan Information Services Librarian http://about.me/chancp

Learning OutcomesBy the end of today’s session, you will be able to:

Differentiate between mainstream and alternative media

Search for and identify information sources that provide alternative points of view

Predict the terminology that writers with different viewpoints would use to describe the same issue

Alternative media sources

Alternative MediaMainstream media: Generally controlled by governments and large corporations

CNN, BBC, Reuters, etc. Editorial position generally reflects mainstream opinion

Alternative media: Smaller, independent sources of information

Allow for dissenting points of view to be heard Internet has made access to alternative media much easier than in the past

Mainstream domination?

Alternative Media ResourcesAlternative media websites useful for security studies:

Independent Media Center, http://www.indymedia.org Initially established by independent and alternative media organizations and activists in 1999 to provide grassroots coverage of the WTO protests in Seattle

New Internationalist, http://www.newint.org A self-described communications cooperative reporting on issues of world poverty and inequality

Inter Press Service, http://www.ips.org A global news agency that aims to raise the voices of the South and civil society on issues of development, globalisation, human rights, and the environment

The above sources were identified using Mount Allison University Libraries’ Alternative Media Guide: http://www.mta.ca/library/alternative_media.html. Check it out yourself for more sources, and for additional information on alternative media.

Useful databaseOpposing Viewpoints Research Centre

Covers controversial contemporary social issues, providing the views and opinions of both sides of the debate

You can find the database by typing the name into OneSearch, or by using our Databases A-Z list

Reading Exercise: Independent Media

Read this article from the Mother Jones website, and think about the following:

1.What kind of tone/style does the author employ?

2.Can you tell what political views the author holds?

3.How is this article different from an article you might read on mainstream news websites? (e.g. BBC, CNN, etc.)

Search terms and alternative viewpoints

Words, words, words...The words (search terms) you use are important. In fact, word choice can introduce bias into your searches.

For example, using the keywords CIA and torture will make it hard to find sources on this topic that very purposefully avoid using the word “torture”

EuphemismEuphemism means the use of mild or indirect expressions when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing

For example, egg industry spokespeople may talk about the “instantaneous fragmentation” of unwanted male chicks

Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Day_old_chick.jpg

Role playIf you were: Would you use the phrase:

The leader of Sinn Fein IRA TERRORIST?

The Iranian Foreign Minister NUCLEAR PROLIFERATION?

A Sudanese government spokesperson DARFUR GENOCIDE?

The CEO of Blackwater MERCENARIES?

The head of the CIA TORTURE?

Exercise - Identifying alternate terms

Working in small groups, come up with some alternate terms and euphemisms for the topic you have been given

Apart from your own knowledge, try searching Google and Wikipedia for examples

Submit your ideas to the online poll at: http://PollEv.com/hkbulib

Summary: Covering all points of view

Mainstream sources Alternative sources

Mainstream terminology

- Mainstream opinion - Mixed views - Alternative media

commentary on mainstream opinion

Alternative terminology

- Mixed views - Mainstream media commentary on alternative opinion

- Alternative opinions

Questions?