Independent Media

Andersen has worked with independent and alternative media organizations on educational videotapes that focus on media criticism, criminal justice, politics and democracy. Her articles help document the development of Independent Media Centers and offer an analysis of the ways in which independent media challenge mainstream media depictions and offer alternatives that present points of view censored from the networks and the papers of record.

Turning Tragedy Into War

Produced 10 days after the attack on the World Trade Center by the Paper Tiger Television collective, this videotape offers a critique of the media coverage of the September 11^th terrorist attacks. The media’s immediate call for war closed a broader public debate on issues of foreign policy from an informed perspective. Segments include on the ground coverage by independent filmmakers of New York in the days that followed the attacks. Turing Tragedy into War has been widely distributed and was part of the New York Documentary Festival held at the Museum of Modern Art (December 2001) featuring independent films and videos produced after 9-11.

Not My President

On Inauguration Day 2001, polls showed that 40 percent of Americans thought George W. Bush had not been legitimately elected as president. The constitutional problems hung unpleasantly over the day, but mainstream TV commentators ignored the constitutional crisis.

The combined Network coverage of protestors in Washington totaled 10 minutes. However, the New York Independent Media Center provided coverage of the inauguration from the public’s point of view. How did the people feel about the constitutional crisis? What were the real issues for the majority of working people who did not vote for Governor Bush? What does the future hold for Americans and the democratic electoral system?

Not My President includes interview segments with Robin Andersen who provides a critique of the network and cable TV coverage of the Inauguration. “As network and cable news channels covered the inauguration of President George W. Bush live, the event was transformed from a political ceremony into a media spectacle of myth proportions…. ...more

Road to Ruin: The Real Dirt on SUV's

Produced with Paper Tiger Television, this videotape contrasts the spectacular video-enhanced images of the natural world used to sell Sport Utility Vehicles with the destructive environmental effects of SUVs. From Global Warming to the destruction of wild lands, SUVs pollute the natural world. This tape addresses these and other transportation issues while offering an ironic, even humorous look at car culture. Road to Ruin includes on-location interviews with New Yorkers and features dynamic visuals and iconoclastic editing. Road to Ruin was a Finalist in the Santa Cruz Community Media Earth Visions‘98 competition.

America’s Least Wanted

America’s Least Wanted takes a bite out of the media’s crime hysteria by exposing the sensational and unbalanced strategies of crime reporting. Public opinion on criminal justice issues is influenced by the media’s emphasis on street crime and the war on drugs, and the downplaying of white-color and corporate crime. This tape offers an analysis of criminal justice issues, media criticism of crime reporting and explores real solutions to crime. Paper Tiger Tape # 264 1995, 28 minutes

Articles About Independent Media Centers

TV Can’t Tell You How It Is

What you didn’t see on the Mainstream Media from the A-16, 2000, demonstration in Washington DC. Reasons for the protest against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were ignored as the media focused on issue of social control from a law enforcement perspective. For more information please visit: Media Channel

Republicans and Rebellion: The IMC Covers the Rejection of Business As Usual

In August 2000, the Republican Party held its national Convention in the city of Philadelphia amidst days of protests by a broad coalition of activists, public interest and community organizations. As the mainstream media reduces its coverage of political conventions because, they say, there is no news, Independent Media Centers provide live satellite and Internet coverage of the “Shadow Conventions” and street protests where politics is still vibrant and democracy is messy....more