Worldlink TV: A Window into the Global World

Television has a huge impact on our daily lives. Studies have shown that Americans watch an average of five hours of television per day. The programs we watch influence nearly every decision we make, from what brand of toothpaste we use to what our political views are. There are hundreds of specialized TV channels available, covering nearly every type of hobby or interest. Yet with all the choices available to us to get our daily information fix there is only one channel dedicated to bringing the stories and struggles of people around the world to light, and into our living rooms. WorldLink 's programing is a refreshing change from the usual banal onslaught of American television programming.

WorldLink is a non-profit channel that was created in 1999. All funding for WorldLink comes from donations and grants. Available on the Direct TV satellite and the Dish network, WorldLink offers a plethora of programs with a focus on understanding other cultures. From politics to music and everything in between, you can see it all on WorldLink. It functions like a global PBS, working hard to promote understanding and acceptance between cultures. Peace will only come through understanding, and WorldLink's multi-culture focused programs give watchers insights into the views and lives of the people in many different countries.

According to their statement of purpose , WorldLink is," focused on international covering in the public interest, providing alternative perspectives, broadening and deepening audience engagement and participation, responding to the needs of a multi-national society, providing information to a culturally curious constituency." They achieve this with shows like Mosiac, a half hour program consisting of actual news broadcasts from countries like Syria, Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian National Authority, and the United Arab Emirates. Hearing the news delivered without the usual American bias can be a very enlightening experience.

The main focus of WorldLink's programming centers around people. They produce documentaries and "reality" shows that document the day to day lives and struggles of real people throughout the world, giving Americans a unique view into the lives of these people who get lost in the political speak so prevalent in the American media when describing other cultures. Recently WorldLink launched a new series, The Active Opposition, a show "which will serve as a regular outlet for social activists. The series will use their experiences to confront and question the status quo in government, in the media and elsewhere, and will ask the difficult questions which mainstream media outlets don't dare ask." (WorldLinkTV.org) The first show in this series was " Iraq: Eyewitness Reports" which shed some much -needed light on the plight of the Iraqi people and how they have been and will continue to be adversely affected by US policies regarding Iraq. Another WorldLink feature show " Death on a Friendly Border" follows the separate stories of Mexicans who have tried to cross the border into the US, a Border Patrol agent, a human rights activist, and others who provide unique perspectives on this issue.

Worldlink is not afraid to take on corporate entities either. One of their well-done documentaries takes on Gap and Nike, showing that they do business with at least one factory in Cambodia that breaks nearly all of the anti-sweatshop rules that these companies have publicly said they support such as underpaid child labor.

WorldLink is not all about politics though. WorldLink broadcasts as much at eight hours a day of World Music videos, documentaries and special performances. Through documentaries on World Music stars like Miriam Makeba, Fela Kuti, Baaba Maal and Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan WorldLink gives a great overview to the many different styles of music popular throughout the world. Each day they play half hour blocks of international music videos that you definitely would never see on MTV

There are hundreds of programs like these that air on WorldLink. WorldLink is truly unique in the realm of electronic media. The US had become much more focused on international politics as a result of the terrorist attacks it has suffered, but while the government is focusing on terrorism and war and an imperialistic foreign policy the American people have developed a strong interest in the lives , struggles, and beliefs of people in other countries. WorldLink is there to provide a window into the daily lives of people all over the world. Nearly all their shows are available for purchase, so if you can't get the WorldLink channel you still have access to them. Visit WorldLink's website : www.WorldLinkTV.org, to find about more about their programming and how you can get this great channel. Contribute to WorldLink while you're there - WorldLink runs strictly on donations and grants