The American Independent News Network

Michigan Messenger belongs to a network of state-based online news sites founded by the American Independent News Network.

Michigan Messenger receives funding from the American Independent News Network (AINN), a not-for-profit organization. With independent outlets operating in five states and the District of Columbia, AINN fosters diversity in the local and national debate by training people on the use of communications technologies, such as the Internet, as an alternative publishing and distribution system to traditional broadcast and print media.

The Michigan program launched in September, 2007; its work has been cited by other state, local and national media outlets and influenced public policy in Michigan. Fellow Earth Jane Melzer was awarded an Honorable Mention by the National Press Club for the Hume Award in 2008, for excellence in political journalism.

The American Independent News Network operates five other sites besides Michigan Messenger: the Colorado Independent; Iowa Independent, Minnesota Independent, New Mexico Independent, and Washington Independent, our national news bureau based in Washington, D.C.

These programs seek to emphasize the importance of citizen-driven journalism as a critical founding principle of our nation, the positive role of democratically elected government in securing the common good and social welfare, and the continuing benefits of our founding culture of egalitarian government by the people, for the people.

Our Readership

Since 2006, 4.4 million people have viewed the AINN sites. Our Fellows’ stories were cited in newspapers 1,119 times, reaching millions of additional readers through their local media. Our Fellows went on TV and radio 954 times, reaching millions more through broadcast media with important messages on the key issues in their states, such as immigration, education, health care, national security, civil rights and liberties, and state budgetary priorities. Cumulatively, since our launch two years ago, the Fellows have generated 177 million impressions on TV, radio, and newspapers.