Many alternatives to the liberal mainstream media are available. Following are descriptions of a few. Readers who are not familiar with these publications and web sites may find them informative.

The Drudge Report, http://drudgereport.com , is one of the most visited sites on the internet, averaging nearly ten million hits per day. Operator Matt Drudge continually updates the site, which has links to dozens of news stories. One could stay reasonably well informed about national news from just this one source.

Drudge writes some original articles. He has been the first to report any number of major news stories that later found their way into the mainstream media.

NewsMax, www.newsmax.com , is an internet magazine with a conservative viewpoint. The web site carries several original articles, which are updated daily, and has links to various conservative opinion writers. NewsMax also publishes a printed magazine.

Human Events, which bills itself as “The National Conservative Weekly,” has been published since 1944. The tabloid-sized newspaper is one of the best sources of news and commentary with a conservative viewpoint. Readers will find a wealth of information that is not reported by the mainstream press. One can call 1-800-787-7557 for subscription information. Human Events also publishes a comprehensive web site, www.humanevents.com .

Real Clear Politics, www.realclearpolitics.com , is a “fair and balanced” source of information about politics. The web site has links to editorials and opinion pieces from all sides of the political spectrum, and posts the results of all the recent national and state polls. This is an excellent site for political junkies.

Carolina Journal bills itself as “A Monthly Journal of News, Analysis, and Opinion from the John Locke Foundation.” The 28-page tabloid-sized magazine focuses on North Carolina state and local government, with several pages devoted to education issues. The articles are comprehensive and well-researched. The magazine has uncovered several of the state government scandals that were later reported by other news sources.

To subscribe one may call 1-919-828-3876 or write 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601. The publication has a web site at www.CarolinaJournal.com . The John Locke Foundation, the Journal’s publisher, is a North Carolina based “think tank” with a free-market orientation. It can be visited at www.JohnLocke.org .

The North Carolina Conservative is a monthly newspaper that covers state politics from a conservative perspective. While its graphics leave room for improvement, the paper is crammed full of information. For subscription information one can write P.O. Box 305, Linville, NC 28646 or call 1-828-733-9030. The newspaper has a comprehensive web site at http://northcarolinaconservative.com.