Community media journalists are, in essence, 'filling in the gaps' left by mainstream news outlets. Forde's extensive 10 year study now develops an understanding of the journalistic practices at work in independent and community news organisations. Alternative media has never been so widely written about until now.

SUSAN FORDE teaches Journalism at Griffith University, Australia, and continues to practice community and independent journalism on a freelance basis. Previously she worked for eight years in the independent press industry and was awarded her PhD in 1998 for her study on the Australian alternative press. Her work on community media audience research has reached an international audience. She is the co-author of two major monographs on community broadcasting, and leads the journalism and media research program at the Griffith Centre for Cultural Research.