altvoices is a very inclusive concept - anyone can contribute - and yet, unlike pure blogging, there is a focus on the quality and consistency of the journalism.

The website is also truly global. Although the majority of current correspondents are in Europe, there are also journalists in SE Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America.

The variety of material is impressive too. There are feature articles, photo stories, street art, cartoons, media criticism and, in the future, podcasts and videos.

The 'Postcards from... Hong Kong, Ramallah, Goma, etc.' manage to capture the essence of the BBC's From Our Own Correspondent.

And all this is done without payment. The journalists get involved because of their love of journalism and a burning urge to tell the stories that need to be reported.

Nominated by Gary Merrill, 01 May 2007

Alternate Voices should be given the award since they have got presence in more than a dozen countries of the world. Alternate Voices has been trying, from the day of its very inception, to provide an alternate and unbiased view of major global issues.

Nominated by Rohan Sharma, 02 May 2007

altvoices should win the New Statesman New Media award since it is providing readers with entire stories or perspectives to stories that the mainstream media has not either bothered to explore or is under pressure not to do so. The independence of the website is its strength. Through their works (articles, photos, cartoons etc), altvoices correspondents are challenging their mainstream media peers to push the envelope and broaden their horizons. This can only mean good things for journalism and the ideal of free press.

Nominated by PenPower, 02 May 2007

Altvoices is an invaluable collection of journalistic opinion and research from around the world. Lucid and readable, independent and challenging.

Nominated by John Jewell, 04 May 2007

The website has a strong commitment to freedom of expression. It welcomes contributions from everyone. Although the quality of journalism is consistently high, the correspondents determine content.

I wish them luck in their goal of having at least one correspondent in every country of the world... more countries than the BBC and Reuters?

Nominated by Jay McGarry, 08 May 2007

It takes dedication, passion and a real sense of justice to work this hard to provide quality, entertaining real life news. This international team of professional journalists, who do this voluntarily, deserve recognition for their effort. The world needs access to alternative sources of news which provide a balance to the mainstream media of the 21st century.

Nominated by J Cardona, 15 May 2007

The website warrants this award, mainly because it is different from the million blogging sites around on the web and different from the mainstream media.

This site is basically a effort of young budding journalists and doesn't have financial backing from a business group. Yet, they consistently put out quality news and anlaysis, that can match or at times evene beat the omnipresent multimedia news giants.

This would be an award not just for the website but also for the resilience and efforts put out by the journalists in reporting the untold stories to the world.

Nominated by Nachiket Kelkar, 22 May 2007

In an age of citizen journalism, most of them are still at the stage of blogging and many are false information.

Altvoices gives true meaning to citizen journalism, and is a place where people who care about their country and the world can express themselves, supported by facts and figures, not mere hearsay or opinions.

Submitted by Monica Hsueh, 02 May 2007

Altvoices is the product of a love for truth, freedom and peace which unites continents and inspires hope. Through hard work and dedication the writers and editors show the power of new media through the production of high quality journalism.

Submitted by Judith Scanlon, 02 May 2007

Altvoices should win this award since it offers a space for accurate, analytical and free-from-any-intervention (sponsors/advertisers etc)writing. Instead of typical blogging-like writing, the writers pen stuff that they can match with facts and evidence, while highlighting issues that the mainstream media has ignored. Its amazing how so many passionate journalists from across the world have come together for this powerful venture that can become a thorn in many a people's backsides if it stays true to its present motto and agenda!

Submitted by PenPower, 02 May 2007

Interesting, simply expressed and hard hitting. A fine example of journalistic blogging that allows readers to quickly tap into the issues being discussed - and offers an insight beyond that offered by the mainstream press. Will be checing this out a lot more often!

Submitted by Indiedog, 02 May 2007

On altvoices you get a real insider's view, but in a professional style- plus the kind of regions and subjects that are rarely covered. Great site.

Submitted by sadie clifford, 02 May 2007

Alt voices offers insightful authoritative takes on areas that the mainstream corporate media just doesn't cover most of the time. I really value it for its consistently thought-provoking content.

Submitted by Andy Williams, 02 May 2007

Interesting, refreshing alternative to other sources out there. Good variety of articles and topics that aren\'t always top priority in mainstream press. Very impressed.

Submitted by Stefan Fergus, 02 May 2007

Altvoices provides ‘food for thought’ for readers interested in high-quality analyses of international issues and events that are too little covered by mainstream media.

Altvoices is innovative and original in the field of new media because, unlike many forms of citizen journalism, its correspondents are media professionals. This means their contributions are well-structured, thoroughly researched, referenced and do not simply rely on personal opinion.

As Altvoices aims at mobilising journalists in all countries of the world, it ensures balanced coverage that is free from nationalist, political or economic interests. Besides, it provides a forum of exchange for journalists coming from a variety of cultural traditions and professional specialisations.

Being one of the contributors myself I can state that – even though Altvoices does not pay – writing for the website is truly rewarding!

Submitted by Nynke Douma, 02 May 2007

The concept of Global Village has become real thanks to Altvoices. In the few months of its existence, it has made significant contributions to the field of new media. Well-researched stories from across the globe, focus on the burning issues of the day make it very special. When the mainstream media has become synonymous with PR, Altvoices has been setting new standards in unbiased reporting.

Submitted by Prabir Roy Chowdhury, 02 May 2007

It's not often one gets such powerful journalism based on the core values of love, courage and freedom all packaged up netaly in one accessible website. Thank you altvoices!!

Submitted by Shilpa Shah, 03 May 2007

Altvoices is an intelligent website with fascinating articles. It's exactly what the media and journalism needs, a place for informed and independent discussion of important topics that get sidelined by the mainstream, unhindered by all the financial pressures that go along with it. All good, honest and passionate journalists should write for it, and all people who want to learn and boraden their minds should read it! So it should definitely win.

Submitted by Clarence Singleton, 03 May 2007

Altvoices offers a globally aware, professional, inclusive and politically challenging form of journalism. It is an example of alternative journalism at its best.

Submitted by C Carter, 03 May 2007

in todays world, where the news basically ruled by co-operations and the 'big' player, websites like alternative voices is essential in order to further get the other side's 'voices' hear. i prefer the word 'democracy' than 'monopoly'.

Submitted by nazanin azimian, 06 May 2007

I find the articles written on the altvoices website entertaining, enlightening and interesting, and I always look forward to reading the latest edition. I wish all the contributors every success for the future - keep up the good work!

Submitted by H Johnson, 09 May 2007

The altvoices website remains true to its beliefs. The quality of the journalism is consistently high and the material is always thought-provoking. Thank you to everyone involved for giving readers this fascinating window to the world.

Submitted by Kate Jones, 09 May 2007

Altvoices provides readers with a genuine alternative to the mainstream media. Its articles are well researched, informative and thought provoking throughout. A great addition to the increasingly important world of alternative journalism.

Submitted by Cayo Morganwg, 14 May 2007

Altvoices is a direct way of finding out about situations and facts that happen daily around the world. The real, non commercial perspective these journalists use, with no intention of hiding or distorting information, is what prompted me to recognize their work. They are sensitive to our daily reality, a reality which people generally do not want to discuss.

Submitted by Albert Cardona, Colombia, 15 May 2007

Few alternative media websites have the global range of altvoices. It's a bit like the online version of the Radio 4's excellent 'from our own correspondent', only with a little more edge. Eclectic, engaging, well researched and always informative.

Submitted by Justin Lewis, 15 May 2007

Altvoices presents a vehicle for expressing thoughts and views that don’t always fit the outline of the traditional news reporting. Because of the fast news cycle, many important stories are ignored, or not well-discussed. Altvoices, keep such stories alive.

Journalism is not a static product, and readers are not passive consumers, "Journalists think trust equals accuracy. But it's about much more: passion, genuineness, integrity," as James Poniewozik, TV and media critic, said, that is what Altvoices believes in, and that’s why it opens the way to readers to express their views and comment on the stories.

Submitted by Badar Salem, 15 May 2007

Altvoices is a valiant and a brilliant website especially that it is produced by independent correspondents from around the world. There is no doubt that the mainstream media ignores many issues, and it is very interesting that independent correspondents will handle some of these issues through Altvoices. Altvoices succeeded in carrying out important truth that many people all over the world are thirsty to know.

Submitted by Yacoub Abu Nahla, 15 May 2007

A largely distorted view of the world is presented by mainstream journalists - not because they lie, but because their perspective is too narrow and their

level of discourse too simplistic. Altvoices redresses the balance admirably and fully deserves to win this award

simplistic. Altvoices redresses the balance admirably and fully deserves to win this award.

Submitted by Miranda Basner, 16 May 2007

Altvoices deserves to win this award because it offers us something more than an ordinary news or journalism website. Professional correspondents from all around the world work for the website with intriguing ‘off the beaten track’ pieces of journalism, often overlooked by mainstream media. It is absolutely brilliant and best of all; the work is done on a voluntary basis!

Submitted by kaisa pankakoski, 16 May 2007

Altvoices is my window to reality. In-depth reporting and research brings light to what is happening beyond the propaganda and public relation jargon you read and hear in the news media.

I can always turn to Altvoices for clear, concise and accurate journalism.

Submitted by Damaqu Meronvil, 19 May 2007

Altvoices offers an high-quality alternative to the mainstream media. Thought-provoking stories written by journalists from all over the world - essential reading. Altvoices definately deserves to win the award!

Submitted by sarah faupel, 20 May 2007

This is the sort of journalism that will hopefully topple governments in the near future. Failing that, perhaps an overpaid CEO.

The nice thing about Altvoices is that issues around the world are discussed, which goes beyond the superficial treatment given by most European media.

Submitted by nick rives, 22 May 2007

It's a great site because it shows up just how big the disparity is between what the mainstream media produces and what's really going on in the world. It's also clearly not about the money but about really passionate reporting - much more please!

Submitted by Kay Starlos, 24 May 2007