Undercurrents News Network

A Brief History of Undercurrents News Network.

In 1994 the Tory government embarked on Britain's largest and most destructive road building plan. A year which... more >

A Brief History of Undercurrents News Network.

In 1994 the Tory government embarked on Britain's largest and most destructive road building plan. A year which saw the introduction of a 'draconian' Criminal Justice Bill (CJB) - aimed at making direct action protest a criminal act, squatting disused buildings a crime, choosing an alternative lifestyle an imprisonable offence.

This was the arena for Undercurrents, a non-profit organisation, to step into and offer media support to grassroots direct action campaign groups. We worked out of a cramped bedroom in North London with just a basic edit suite and a couple of borrowed camcorders. We were a couple of frustrated TV producers and a handful of environmental activists who began work on what would become the country's most recognised 'alternative news service distributed via video cassette.'

'Undercurrents the alternative news video issue 1' is released on VHS tape on April 1st (Fools' Day) 1994. The most notable feature included the country's first video feature informing about the imminent introduction of the CJB. The first batch of 250 tapes run out in a matter of weeks and press reviews are very positive.

The Guardian tells readers that "Undercurrents shocks, informs and exposes." Time Out magazine hails Undercurrents as "the news you don't see on the news". The Independent declares 'Resistance culture sets up own news network'. Undercurrents wins awards in Britain, Brazil, France, USA and Japan. Channel 4 TV broadcasts 2 x 30 minute compilations from the Undercurrents alternative news videos. A founder of Undercurrents writes and releases (through Pluto Press) the 'Video Activist Handbook'.

The future is (y)ours!
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