Undercurrents (news)

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Undercurrents is an alternative video news network which began with the UK distribution of videotapes shot by volunteers. It has since expanded to include a web presence, media training for volunteers, and a film festival, BeyondTV.

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[edit] History

Undercurrents is an alternative news agency which came into being in 1994 with a VHS videocassette of news which the founders (Jamie Hartzell Paul O'Connor, Zoe Broughton,and Thomas Harding) felt were not being addressed by the mainstream media. One of the issues covered was the introduction of the Criminal Justice Bill, whose varied measures included attempts to curtail large gatherings both of travellers and ravesand make direct action protest a criminal offense. A second video was released before the end of the year. Bands such as the Levellers included Undercurrents references on their CD sleeves. Radiohead have donated funds and Comedian Mark Thomas allowed undercurrents to produce and distribute his first DVD to raise funds.Undercurrents was amongst the first groups which coined the phrase 'video activism'- the use of camcorders for social change. A co-founder, Thomas Harding, wrote the video activist handbook published by Pluto Press. Undercurrents now distbribute films via DVD and in 2007 they launched visionontv - a Peer to Peer TV channel over internet.

[edit] Status

Undercurrents subsequently became a non-profit company and a registered charity. They have moved their office from London, to Oxford and are now based in the environment centre in Swansea.

[edit] Court Cases

Some of their footage of political protests has been used in court cases, including footage of Genoa G8 summit, and a police raid on indymedia work spaces.

[edit] Current Projects

In 2007 Undercurrents released EcoVillage Pioneers- a documentary exploring sustainable low impact communities around the world. 'Reach for the Sky', premiered at BeyondTV festival, produced by Undercurrents, focuses on Swansea Airport and that uncontrolled aviation expansion is unsustainable. Swansea Airport, with the connivance of Swansea Council, was given the go-ahead to operate in the centre of the Gower peninsula, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the first AONB to be designated in the country. Public pressure forced Swansea Airport to close down. Air Wales, which operated from Swansea Airport has now closed down.

Many of their latest videos are hosted on the Clearer channel website

Undercurrents are currently producing podcasts in 2008 about environmental issues such as Climate change. Video podcasts include Surfing, Bushcraft and sustainable housing.These can be viewed at channel website

[edit] External links