Connecticut News Alternatives

I began to read what are called "alternative newspapers" years ago as a poor graduate student.  Okay, it was because they were free and I couldn't afford a subscription to "real" paper, but the locally-focused journalism to be found among the ads for strip clubs and escort services was always top notch.

The same holds true today for the Connecticut-based New Haven Independent, Connecticut Mirror, and CT News Junkie.  Each site focuses on local issues, events, and points of view with journalistic flair.   Surprisingly, all three sites manage to do this without advertising, relying on grants from foundations or the support of local readers.

The Independent is intensely focused on stories from within New Haven, or on how statewide issues affect New Haven.  Stories about gang violence, environmental activism, and community development fill the page, providing very human stories to be found in the city's varied neighborhoods.

The Mirror and CT News Junkie focus much more on statewide matters:  education, budgets, politics.  These sites have latched firmly onto the notion that a journalist's role is to hold government accountable for its actions.  The Mirror focuses strongly on fiscal issues, as seven out of its eight front page links related to state budget matters.

However, Connecticut's other alternative news site, Ameriborn News is to the Mirror as Fox News is to, well, practically all other television news outlets.   It seems Ameriborn is trying to hold government accountable for its actions by shouting it down with often prejudiced rhetoric, and by cherry picking the facts.

Take for instance, their story on Gov. Rell's demand to review what effect the recently passed health care reform bill will have on Connecticut.  Throughout Ameriborn's report, the only point of view was that costs will increase and jobs are at risk.  Whereas in the Mirror, Rell's budget director is mentioned as saying after a preliminary review that there are no huge costs for the state, a quote Ameriborn left out.  The Mirror piece is far more objective and even-handed, showing many sides of the issue, and in turn discusses what the state faces in implementing the measure.

Ameriborn sells advertising to support their site, using a lot of keyword-mouse-over ads in their stories.  It was strange, though, that every ad that popped up, regardless of the keyword, was for erectile dysfunction solutions.  I wonder if their puffed up rhetoric is making up for something?