downing : radical alternative media

definition of how radical and alternative depends
everything depends on their content and context

"context and consequences must be our primary guides to what are or ware not definable as radical alternative media." p.x


radical alternative media are found in a variety of formats


radical alternative media  " break somebody's rules" 

small scale, generally underfunded, "sometimes largely unnoticed" xi



radical alternative media "generally serve two overriding purposes: (a) to express opposition vertically from subordinate quarters directly at the power structure and against its behavior; (b) to build support, solidarity, and networking laterally against policies or even against the very survival of the power structure. In any given instance, both vertical and lateral purposes may be involved." xi

"tendency to be somewhat more, or sometimes considerably more democratic than conventional mainstream media" xi





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 CHAPTER 1.



radical alternative media constitute the most active audience and express oppositional strands, overt and convert, within popular cultures.

audiences redefined as media users rather than consumers
active rather than uncriticalactive media users and radical media producers 

social movement, as term implies something active, and ont he streets.