The Future Depends on Knowing

The scale of the economic, geo-political and environmental crisis
demands original and profound solutions. If necessity is the mother
of invention, get ready for an era of unprecedented imagination and
innovation. We are entering a period where people take solutions
into their own hands creating new ways of living, working and doing
business. The Real News Network is such a solution; it’s the missing
link in the global media landscape.
The Real News Network (TRNN) is the world’s first independent,
non-profit, viewer-supported daily video-news and documentary
service. We don’t accept advertising, government or corporate
funding. Our economic model allows us to act independently and
ask hard questions in the interests of ordinary people. It is video news
that fearlessly follows facts to rational conclusions.
Our progress to date:
»» Produced over 4,000 news videos
»» In 2008, we had over 7.5 million views of our news videos
»» Received $190,000 in donations from our viewers
»» Launched the first phase of our ecommerce revenue initiative
»» Established a strategic production and distribution partnership
with McClatchy Newspapers, Washington DC Bureau
»» Signed a deal with TiVo that will put us in one million homes
»» 3.5 million visitors came to our website in 2008
»» Became the number 1 non-profit channel on YouTube
The Real News will develop a “BEAT” system with production units
dedicated to investigating and daily reporting on:

TRNN is financed initially by major individual and foundation gifts,
and is sustainable on a long-term basis by viewer donations and
earned revenue (ecommerce and licensing of original product).
The next phase of development calls for the move towards 24/7
video-news service on the Internet (and with convergence, on TV)
by 2012. We intend to compete with cable news for an audience in
the millions.
Our goal is to change the definition of what’s news and who’s a
news maker through daily breaking news imbued with verifiable
facts, history and context. The mission of The Real News Network
is to engage millions of viewers in solving the critical problems of
our times.
»» Solutions, models for change and visions of a better future
»» The economic crisis and how people are organizing
»» Issues that affect students and young workers
»» Solutions to the climate change crisis
»» Foreign policy, the military-industrial complex
»» National security and the abuse of power
»» The conditions of working and unemployed women
»» The health care debate
Over the next 12 months, The Real News Network is expanding its
news and current affairs programming to more directly target a mass
television and Internet audience. We will enhance our news coverage
and introduce innovative, interactive programming that enables
citizens to engage in the process.

143 West 4th Street | New York | NY | 10012 | USA | 917-463-3599

720 Bathurst Street | Suite 412 | Toronto | ON | M5S 2R4 | Canada | 416-916-5202
700 12th Street NW | Suite 1000 | Washington | DC | 20005 | 1-866-396-4231
contact@therealnews.com
Why Do We Need The Real News Network?
Our Editorial Approach »» Are we being accountable and transparent? We all have
interests. We recognize that bias affects the elements in a story
Our perspective on reporting the news is guided by an editorial we choose to highlight, the facts we consider important and the
approach that seeks truth and doesn’t bow to pressure. In everything sources we decide to trust. To be human is to have bias. The answer
we produce we ask: is professional methodology and transparency; The Real News
creates forums for questioning, debating and criticizing our work.
»» What’s news? The Real News investigates, reports and debates
stories that help people understand the critical issues of our time. »» Have we covered the “basics”? The Real News insists on verifiable
We don’t blindly follow wire services or official press releases that journalism, seeking truth without bowing to pressure and fearlessly
attempt to set the news agenda. We cover the big stories of the day, reaching conclusions to which evidence leads.
but we broaden the definition of what’s important. The movements
for the rights of working people, women, children, immigrants,
indigenous peoples, for freedom of religion and conscience, for
moral and spiritual values, for peace and against racism - are news.
The health of our planet is a daily story.

»» Who’s a newsmaker? We cover people in high office, but we don’t

limit our news to official positions or the partisan horse race for
power. We think that people who fight for human rights and work
for solutions are newsmakers.

»» What matters to a mass audience? We combine sizzle with

substance, understanding that craft and entertainment values
are critical to winning a large audience. We always strive to
answer the question: “Why should I care?” But we do so in a way
that encourages a broadminded, fact-based view of, “What’s in
it for me?” TRNN programming will provide facts to help people
advance their interests.

»» Are we creating daring debate? Many sides of an issue are

explored taking debate beyond narrow partisanship. Guests have
deep knowledge and investigated opinion. Debate is lively, witty
and resists personal attacks, talking points and empty rhetoric.

143 West 4th Street | New York | NY | 10012 | USA | 917-463-3599

720 Bathurst Street | Suite 412 | Toronto | ON | M5S 2R4 | Canada | 416-916-5202
700 12th Street NW | Suite 1000 | Washington | DC | 20005 | 1-866-396-4231
contact@therealnews.com