I`d give about anything to find an authentic 24-hour news station.

[democrank]

Maybe serious news junkies don`t give up their habit easily. After nearly a half century of interest in global affairs, I find myself stumbling around in search of an authentic news program. Perhaps it`s my age, but I have about zero tolerance for the crap now considered noteworthy: latest quotes attributed to Ann Coulter or Bill Bennett, whereabouts of Jessica Simpson or Tom Cruise, photos of George Bush at Dunkin` Donuts or on a bike ride with the Secret Service, Wolf Blitzer talking about his favorite day spa or Chris Matthews yakking about how so-and-so is a man`s man. After about fourteen seconds, I start planning how to rearrange my silverware drawer or something. I can`t even get into it, this blah, blah, blah on cable tv. Of course I can hit the OFF button and make a fast exit, which I frequently do. Truth is, I`m genuinely interested in current events and would give anything to find a news program with some real news.

I`m convinced that all the cable "news" stations share ownership in some holding pen, a corral where all their pundits are held. There`s probably a motorized conveyor belt that transports these talking heads from one show to another. Tony Snow to Meet the Press then on to Face the Nation. Ken Melhman to This Week then Meet the Press. I can almost guess who`ll be behind doors number one, two and three. Good grief! Isn`t there any fresh blood out there? How about a man-on-the-street interview with someone from Hoboken or Des Moines? Do I really want to see seven more shots of Condi`s expressionless face or Laura`s glazed-over eyes? Should I spend time staring at Tony Blankley`s matching hanky and tie because I`m so bored with his recycled talking points? All I want is some real news.

Are there any other places worthy of mention other than Hollywood and Washington? What`s really happening in the Gaza Strip? What`s the health care system like in Norway? Is everyone dead in Sudan? Whatever happened to all our steel workers? Did Jefferson Parish ever get rebuilt? What`s the school drop-out rate in Detroit? All I`ve heard lately is that the entire planet is filled with terrorists who want to kill us and Liberals want to cut and run in spite of it.

Oh, for an hour of Walter Cronkite or Huntley and Brinkley. Now that would be interesting. Instead, we`re subjected to Nora O`Donnell...loud and wild-eyed...regurgitating White House talking points. Rat-a-tat-tat. Bush is decisive. Regular folks like him. Democrats don`t have plans for anything. Wait....it`s Friday....Hardball Hotshots. Regular panel of newsmakers, they are. "You first, Tucker, then after six commercials we`ll hear from Rita."

[CottonBear]

1. BBC online news & video is the best I can find without satellite TV access

edit: link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/

[leftchick]

4. I agree

and hiya CB! :hi:

[CottonBear]

9. Hi there leftchick! BBC TV is awesome! I have to access it online.

BBC News online is comprehensive and covers the world. It's amazing! They even have different radio broadcasts for different parts of the COmmonwealth like the Caribbean Radio Service!

The BBC world Service Radio News is broadcast live on our local NPR station every evening at 7PM.
It is the best news broadcast of the day here in NE GA! We lost Air Atlanta last month. :cry: It is a media wasteland here. :(

I would love to have a satellite feed for live BBC programming. Or better yet, make a visit to the UK where there is real media and Greg Palast as a bonus!

:hi: & Peace.
CB

[cyclezealot]

2. For radio.

THe best one can do in the US is Pacifica Radio. TV is a wasteland. Unless you get Democracy NOw's affiliate network on satellite.

[idgiehkt]

3. there's one near here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=102

[supernova]

5. BBC is starting up a 24 hr news channel

similar to CNN, but with a more international focus, of course.

I'm hoping they'll add it to my sat package. But baring that. I think the BBC website is the best.

[Lex]

7. jinx, supernova!

great minds, I guess

[supernova]

8. LOL!

:thumbsup:

[supernova]

12. Gah! We might not get it

From the BBC World availability page:

BBC World is widely available in The Americas on cable and satellite. Please see below for further information on cable operators and distributors for your area:

USA

BBC World News is broadcast on BBC America for three hours each weekday morning (0600 to 0900 ET/0300 to 0600 PT) and as a 30-minute bulleting each weekday evening (1800 to 1830 ET). BBC America is available on cable and satellite.

BBC World News bulletins are also rebroadcast daily on Public broadcast Stations across the coutnry. Please refer to your local PBS for further information on availability and transmission times.

http://www.bbcworld.com/content/template_howtoreceive_3americas.asp?pageid=2003

[Lex]

6. BBC is launching a 24 hr news channel in US.

According to this:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5040886.stm

Don't know if it will be what you're looking for, though.

I prefer BBC News to anything the US media calls "news."

[CottonBear]

10. Oh please let this be on non-digital channels or in premium packages.

I would love this to be offered as part of expanded basic but that may be too much to hope for.

[kentuck]

11. Why not start a DU radio station??

You would never be lacking for material. Just read the interesting posts on the topics of the day. Now that would be progressive radio! :)

[longship]

13. I second Auntie Beeb

It's available on Satellite radio (I know XM, but probably Sirius as well).

The BBC still does some good stuff. Certainly the coverage is in depth.

I would also like to point you towards the CBC, if you can get it in your area. They have a program called "As It Happens" which predates "All Things Considered". If fact, NPR's ATC is a copy of CBC's AIH. This is just plain good stuff.