Consortium News stands outside the extreme partisan thinking that now dominates American politics.
Consortium News is completely funded by its readers. It has no relationship with corporations, intelligence agencies, political parties, the Pentagon, nor major think tanks and universities that make up the bi-partisan Establishment that rules the United States. Consortium News stands outside the extreme partisan thinking that now dominates American politics.
Therefore no label applies to Consortium News. We are neither liberal nor conservative, Republican nor Democrat, progressive nor libertarian. That confuses some who need to pigeonhole people and publications.
We stand outside that, as a critic of the bi-partisan Establishment that is being challenged by a population increasingly fed up with its subjugation. As the old regime declines, beset by perpetual war abroad, inequality and mass surveillance at home and a corporate media manufacturing consent for it all, Consortium News joins those who look to the birth of new possibilities, and therefore seeks no attachment to the dying order.
CN neither needs nor seeks Establishment approval or validation, a desire that can lead so-called independent journalists astray. Indepence is lost with dependence on the Establishment for one’s identity.
Consortium News measures itself against no one. We depend on no one but our readers—to follow us, to make sure others read us and to fund us. Our work does not cater to any subset of our readers, who adhere to different ideologies, or none at all.
Because we do not fit into narrow partisan categories, some people misunderstand where Consortium News is coming from. We exist outside the partisan bubble enveloping the nation. We adhere to no political Orthodoxy requiring us to stay in line.
When we’ve published articles skeptical of the Russia-gate scandal we’ve been accused of being Donald Trump supporters, and worse, stooges of the Kremlin or Putin puppets.
When we publish articles critical of Donald Trump we are sometimes accused of being stooges for the Democrats.
This is what it means to be fiercely independent. It means Consortium News is fulfilling its mission of being strictly non-partisan, which is what our founder Bob Parry established. It is what makes CN a unique resource.
There is plenty of partisan journalism out there. But if you seek really non-partisan, independent journalism, even if you don’t agree with everything we write, we urge you to support us during our Spring Fund Drive, in order that we can continue to deliver for you.
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My visits used to be confined to the standard liberal and progressive web sites, which have sadly become too partisan and warmongering in my opinion, though I have not abandoned hope for the progressive philosophy. I guess call me a Jimmy Dore Progressive these days who is trying to put as much distance between himself and the likes of Rachel Maddow and Bill Maher. They gave up their principles to defend hyperpartisanship.
As much as anything the liberal-driven coup to snatch Ukraine from Russia’s orbit and the deliberate rekindling of the Cold War by the Obama administration broke the camel’s back for me. That and Hillary’s blatant in-your-face deceit, theft of the party nomination, insatiable warmongering, and a complete re-writing of history after she blew the election due to her own incompetence caused me to be skeptical about every word henceforth emanating from that party… not that I trust the Republicans any farther than I could launch them into space either. Trump simply took the Hillary model, successfully ran against it to win the presidency and then transmogrified into the best Hillary impersonator this side of Saturday Night Live. Even Barry Goldwater would be ashamed of bodda yuse guys.
So, yes, CN transcends the standard model of domestic American politics. It is neither fish nor fowl. However, in the eyes of both those avians and piscines it is usually portrayed as the “enemy,” definitely not “one of us. Hey, ain’t we on some list, certified by keepers of the true faith to be notorious pedlars of that legendary “fake news?” The real partisans would characterise this not as neutral but as the ultimate partisan bubble: You are against America because you won’t take up sides within it, therefore, standing outside of it, you must be against it. If you need someone to clarify that, just dial “W” for witless.
“In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Birgitta Jonsdottir, member of Icelandic Parliament, Pirate Party
“We are neither liberal nor conservative, Republican nor Democrat, progressive nor libertarian. That confuses some who need to pigeonhole people and publications.”
My view, exactly, of the way things should be.
But it is a view widely misunderstood. I know clearly from the variety of comments I make and receive on a number of news and affairs sites.
Many regard that approach almost the way a Christian of a couple of centuries ago would regard the presence of an agnostic.
People in general have, I believe, a built-in genetic propensity towards partisanship or argumentativeness.
In some societies this is then reinforced and encouraged by the social and political structure, as with a Catholic or Protestant country of the 17th century.
America very much has a tendency this way.
One aspect of this was well captured in Robert Hughes’ interesting book, “The Culture of Complaint.”
It is also seen in the political system, composed of two parties, which, in fact, represent only wings of a national imperial party. There is allowance for differences in rhetoric on social issues, most of which will be ignored in the end anyway, but there is no allowance for differences on America’s equivalent of God, King, and Country.
Neither party opposes the Pentagon, the CIA, countless imperial wars and coups, plus the plutocratic system controlling both parties. To do so is to be seen and treated as a kind of atheist.
Another important aspect is to be seen in the country’s almost ceaseless state of war. There’s virtually always someone out there being threatened or attacked for one reason or another.
Great point.
What you say seems to me to be true having been visiting the site for pushing a year now. I prefer Joe Friday’s approach – just the facts, ma’am.
“In an age of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Birgitta Jonsdottir, member of Icelandic Parliament from the Pirate Party
CN is the most important news source I follow. Nobody should be safe from or afraid of the truth.
Truth never, never comes from a single source. Just ask a scientist or a good trial lawyer.
I’m sorry, but that’s naive point of view.
Writers and publications all have biases in one form or another, axes to grind, and even inadequate knowledge of some matters, which is not something most egos can tolerate admitting.
The only way to get at something resembling truth in the news – and the more controversial the topic, the greater the need – is through a method advocated by the late I. F. Stone.
Read and compare and critique. Use the method of cross-examination borrowed from the courtroom.
You cannot avoid your own responsibility and work. No one can do it for you.
Depending on any one publication – even if its a very good one – inherently contains the flaws of the concept of “truth checking” we see phony outfits such as NewsGuard offering everywhere.
You yourself must make the effort.
Sorry, but when you don’t, as most people do not on most subjects, you cannot truly claim to be informed.
Which is why the system we have – corporate, accessible papers and broadcasters a lot of people trust – is so endlessly abused by government and the corporate interests themselves.
It depends on people making not making an effort, and the assumption is largely right, many having no time or inclination to do otherwise.
There is no magic solution, as many would have you think. Believing that is believing in a religious concept, not a rational investigative approach to knowledge.
Aloxa!I find the article good,very good, your declared,strategy “We depend on no one but our readers”. Is real friendly,makes me feel that Consortium News are Journalist-people who care about us,our state of mind and matter our feelings. More that is “mission CN of being strictly non-partisan,” and Bob Parry mention.
Problem I can’t receive and send money.I ‘m detained. Sad I’m not in position to to take part to your Spring Fund Drive.
Respectful Terzaki
Keep up the excellent work!