The New Citizen In Town

A new Internet news and commentary site that challenges the corporate media model has been established here.

Oklahoma Citizen is an independent media operation that allows writers and citizen journalists to post material of interest to residents here. Here’s its mission statement:

Oklahoma Citizen is a free, open-access news portal and community action center that is dedicated to providing news, opinion, ideas and resources that are meaningful to independent-minded Oklahomans.

What makes this site different than some others is its community-orientated mission and its open access. Independent media sites, such as Oklahoma Citizen, push back against closed-access corporate media outlets, which have been in a financial decline for several years.

Oklahoma Citizen was founded by Serena Blaiz and David Glover, but I’m sure they want people to consider it a community effort not tied to one particular voice or view.

Through the years, I have argued on Okie Funk and Blue Oklahoma that the state needs more independent media sites and progressive blogs on the Internet. Local corporate media outlets, especially The Oklahoman, rarely present views that dissent from conservative talking points.

So why not include a lot of views and different angles and try to have discussion?

We should all wish Oklahoma Citizen the best. I encourage local writers and political activists to submit material there.