The world needs alternative media, and alternative media needs credibility, experts said at a meeting on communication at the start of the Helsinki Conference this week.

Alternative media is increasingly being recognised by many as a growing force.

It might just have begun to reach out to a larger number of people in many parts of the world, Anuradha Mittal, executive director of the Oakland Institute in the United States said at a panel discussion organised by IPS . Alternative media suggests mostly bloggers (individuals or small groups who post their views on the net) and the camcorder adventurer.

The discussion on communication, media and citizenship brought together both bloggers and solo filmmakers from what is called the alternative media, and journalists from what is considered mainstream media like the BBC .