Make no mistake — a concerted effort by the mainstream corporate media is underway to undermine those who express peaceful dissent. A seemingly blatant attempt to discredit the alternative media by lumping independent publishers into a contrived category of 'fake news' has begun.

Do not misunderstand this warning as a denial that fake news sites exist to intentionally mislead the public into believing a false narrative. There is certainly no shortage of 'news' websites that promote racism, disinformation, and general ignorance. However, whose job is it to filter through this sea of disinfo? Certainly not the disinformation agents in the mainstream media, right?

Well, that is exactly what is happening. Just because sites like CNN, FOX News, MSNBC, Washington Post, HuffPost and the like use short titles that appear harmless on the surface, does not mean that they are not filled with propaganda — pushing racism, disinformation and ignorance.

Case in point.

This week, multiple mainstream media sources across the web began reporting on a 'list' of 'fake' news sites. NYMag, LA Times, the Independent, Business Insider, and others all ran with similarly contrived headlines of how this list will help you combat fake news.

Now for the kicker.

Not one of these websites provided a single example of any of the sites on this list reporting anything fake. All they did was promote disinformation (i.e. fake news) by claiming — without researching — that all the sites on this list are fake, because a 'college professor' put it together.

Don't get us wrong, we've read the list, and some of the sites listed on it are utter rubbish and not to be trusted — even large ones. Also, we are on that list.

However, the fact that The Free Thought Project is on this list is no secret as it is several years old and we've worn it as a badge of honor since we were first made aware of it. If we weren't ruffling feathers and being accused (without merit) of being false, then we would be doing it wrong. The truth hurts, and often times, the truth makes those who it exposes furious, and so they take action.

"In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act." — Often attributed to George Orwell — but we aren't sure, so we will say, unknown — in an effort not to be called 'fake news'

image: https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/2/svg/1f609.svg

Ironically enough, the author of this list admits she gets her information from sites on this list!

Some people are asking which news sources I trust, and all I can say is that I read/watch/listen very widely, from mainstream, corporate owned sources (The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes) as well as The Atlantic, National Public Radio, and various local and alternative sources with different political perspectives, some of which are included on this list. 

No one here is going to make the claim that The Free Thought Project does not spice up its headlines to break through the mainstream media's grip on information. However, being good at promoting information does not make an outfit 'fake.'

In a world where 6 mega-corporations own 90% of all the media consumed in America, breaking through the establishment narrative is not an easy task. That 90% is allowed to assert, promote, backup, and perpetuate information that is self-serving, status quo-promoting and, often times, false — without anyone putting them in check.

The term propaganda rings melodramatic and exaggerated, but a press that—whether from fear, careerism, or conviction—uncritically recites false government claims and reports them as fact, or treats elected officials with a reverence reserved for royalty, cannot be accurately described as engaged in any other function.

–Glenn Greenwald