ELECTION UNSPUN
New Multi-Media Website Provides Critical News and Information for Voters
 (February 5, 2008) - Community radio networks Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News have introduced ElectionUnspun.org, a new multi-media website to promote election literacy during the 2008 elections. "Election Unspun is full of compelling and uncomplicated information to help citizens unravel the double-speak of political candidates and media pundits,” said Nathan Moore, Pacifica Radio's National Program Coordinator.
The website features new audio and video productions and blogs that are updated daily, accompanied by supplemental text and background information. Links to other informative elections websites are provided. Daily audio newscasts showcased at the top of the website’s home page include headlines, news features, and interviews. They are also being aired on many grassroots radio stations throughout the US in a newscast also called Election Unspun.
Primary contributors to the web site will be reporters and journalists from Pacifica and Free Speech Radio news reporting from their own local communities, reflecting the needs and concerns of everyday Americans.
Leigh Ann Caldwell, Washington DC Editor for Free Speech Radio News, described ElectionUnspun.org as a "news-driven website designed to bring on-line visitors the breadth and scope of information that grassroots community radio offers.” Caldwell noted that community radio is known for perspectives ignored by mainstream media and for often breaking news stories first.
The website includes reports on candidates’ voting records, candidates’ advisers and financial backers, the roles that polls and the media play during elections, ballot initiatives and third party efforts, important congressional and gubernatorial races, and analysis of pressing national issues including Iraq, health care, the environment, immigration, race, and the economy. The Center for Media and Democracy will provide regular audio segments making connections between money, politics, and public relations spin.
ElectionUnspun.org is a Pacifica Radio and Free Speech Radio News production. Pacifica Radio hosts the web site, which relies entirely on open-source software, according to Pacifica’s Web Project Manager Pete Korakis. Korakis commented that “powering a multi-media community effort such as this with Joomla! is an exciting way to stay consistent with our noncommercial approach.”
The Pacifica Foundation is a community-based, radio network that was founded in 1949 as a visionary alternative to commercially-driven media. The Pacifica Network includes five stations owned by Pacifica - WBAI in New York, WPFW Washington DC, KPFK in Los Angeles, KPFA in Berkeley, and KPFT in Houston – and approximately 140 affiliated community, college, low-power, and Internet radio stations throughout the USA.
Free Speech Radio News is the only daily syndicated progressive newscast in the United States, featuring commercial-free breaking news and analysis from around the country and around the world.
For more information contact:
Nathan Moore,
Pacifica Network Programming Coordinator,
nathan@pacifica.org,
510-734-3496
Leigh Ann Caldwell,
FSRN DC Editor,
leighann.caldwell@gmail.com,
646-339-5672
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