By Novacreed 
The 21st century has transformed how we consume and share information. With traditional media facing skepticism and social media amplifying diverse voices, alternative news platforms have risen to prominence. Among them, Before Its News stands out as a pioneer in the world of citizen journalism—a place where everyday people share news stories, theories, and firsthand reports that often fall outside mainstream coverage.
Founded in 2008, Before It’s News (often abbreviated as BIN) has become both a hub of independent reporting and a lightning rod for controversy. It exemplifies the tension between free speech, misinformation, and the democratization of media.
What Is “Before Its News”?
Before Its News is an online citizen journalism platform that allows anyone to publish news stories, opinion pieces, and reports without traditional editorial oversight. The website’s tagline—“Your News Before It’s News”—emphasizes its mission: to deliver information that mainstream outlets might ignore, censor, or delay.
The platform gained attention for hosting a wide variety of content, including breaking news, politics, health updates, UFO sightings, and conspiracy theories. For many users, it represents a digital space for unrestricted expression and the sharing of alternative viewpoints.
The Origins of Before It’s News
Founding and Early Vision
Before Its News was founded in 2008 by Chris Kitze, an internet entrepreneur and media innovator. His goal was to create a platform where ordinary citizens could report news events as they unfolded—bypassing traditional media gatekeepers.
Kitze and his team believed that the mainstream media was too slow, too filtered, and often biased by political or corporate interests. Before It’s News sought to give a voice to whistleblowers, independent journalists, and those skeptical of official narratives.
The Rise of Citizen Journalism
The idea of citizen journalism was gaining momentum in the late 2000s, driven by social media, smartphones, and blogs. Platforms like YouTube, Reddit, and Twitter were already enabling users to share live information. Before It’s took that concept further by offering a dedicated publishing platform—essentially a public newsroom for the internet age.
How Before It’s News Works
Open Submission Model
Before It’s News allows any registered user to publish content directly to the website. Articles can include text, videos, links, or images. There are minimal editorial barriers, making it one of the most open news-sharing systems on the web.
Categories and Topics
The platform features dozens of categories, such as:
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Politics and World Events
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Health and Science
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Earth Changes and Environment
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Alternative Science and Technology
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UFOs, Paranormal, and Conspiracy
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Spirituality and Self-Improvement
This wide spectrum of topics attracts diverse audiences—from truth seekers and activists to skeptics and researchers.
User Interaction
Readers can comment, share articles, and even republish stories under the platform’s open sharing policy. This participatory model encourages dialogue and debate, although it also opens the door to misinformation if users fail to fact-check sources.
The Appeal of Before It’s News
1. Freedom of Speech
At its core, Before Its News champions free expression. In an era when large media corporations dominate the narrative, BIN offers a space where anyone can speak freely without fear of censorship or editorial bias.
2. Early Information and Alternative Narratives
Many readers visit Before It’s News for early updates on breaking events or alternative explanations of major stories. The platform often publishes information long before it reaches traditional outlets—sometimes weeks or months earlier.
3. Grassroots Voices
Before It’s News gives ordinary citizens a platform to report local incidents, share personal experiences, or highlight issues ignored by major networks. This grassroots approach aligns with the growing distrust of mainstream media institutions.
Controversies and Criticisms
Despite its popularity, Before It’s News has faced widespread criticism. Many journalists and fact-checking organizations label it a source of misinformation or conspiracy content.
1. Lack of Editorial Oversight
Unlike traditional media, Before It’s News does not have a professional editorial board. This open policy means that false or misleading information can be published easily, often without verification.
2. Spread of Conspiracy Theories
BIN has hosted numerous stories involving political conspiracies, extraterrestrials, health hoaxes, and global government agendas. While these attract millions of readers, they also fuel debates about the line between free speech and responsible journalism.
3. Search Engine Visibility
Because of its content policies, Before It’s has been partially deindexed or demoted by major search engines like Google and Bing. Social media platforms have also restricted links from BIN in certain cases, citing violations of misinformation policies.
The Role of Before It’s News in the Media Landscape
A Platform for the Disenfranchised
For many, Before It’s News is more than a website—it’s a symbol of resistance against what they see as media manipulation. It appeals to audiences who distrust government institutions, corporate media, and “fact-checking” organizations.
Diversity of Opinion
While some stories are sensational or speculative, others provide valuable grassroots perspectives. The platform gives marginalized voices an outlet, especially those critical of mainstream narratives.
A Reflection of the Digital Age
Before It’s News mirrors the fragmentation of modern media—a world where truth, bias, and opinion often overlap. It represents the power and peril of democratized information, where anyone can be both a reporter and a reader.
The Audience of Before It’s News
Before It’s News attracts a diverse user base, including:
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Independent journalists seeking a publishing platform.
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Conspiracy theorists and alternative researchers exploring unconventional ideas.
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Curious readers who want to compare mainstream and alternative narratives.
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Activists and whistleblowers looking to share inside information.
This eclectic mix makes BIN a vibrant, if controversial, community that thrives on curiosity, skepticism, and open discussion.
Ethical Considerations
The platform raises important questions about freedom vs. responsibility in digital media.
1. The Responsibility of Readers
Because Before It’s News operates without fact-checking, the responsibility shifts to the reader. Users must verify information through independent sources before accepting it as truth.
2. The Role of Moderators
While BIN promotes open publishing, it also relies on community feedback to flag inappropriate or misleading content. This decentralized moderation reflects the platform’s belief in self-regulation rather than top-down control.
3. Free Speech in the Age of Censorship
Supporters argue that even controversial or fringe ideas deserve a voice, especially in an era of increasing online censorship. Critics counter that misinformation can cause real-world harm. Before It’s News exists at the heart of this debate.
The Impact of Before It’s News on Alternative Media
1. Inspiring Similar Platforms
BIN’s success inspired the creation of other citizen-journalism sites and independent media networks. It proved that user-generated news could attract large audiences without corporate backing.
2. Changing the Definition of “Journalism”
Before It’s News challenges traditional journalism by empowering individuals to act as reporters. This shift blurs the line between professional journalism and crowd-sourced reporting.
3. Encouraging Critical Thinking
Ironically, even critics admit that BIN encourages readers to think critically about the information they consume. By comparing alternative reports to mainstream coverage, readers are forced to evaluate sources more carefully.
Future Prospects for Before It’s News
1. Greater Transparency
As public scrutiny grows, BIN may introduce more transparent guidelines for publishing and source verification, striking a balance between openness and reliability.
2. Integration with Emerging Technologies
With AI-driven tools and blockchain journalism on the rise, platforms like Before News could evolve into decentralized, verifiable news ecosystems where each story’s origin and edits are traceable.
3. Continued Relevance
Despite criticism, Before News remains relevant because it taps into something fundamental: the human desire for truth outside official channels. As distrust in institutions persists, the demand for independent information will likely continue to grow.
How to Use Before It’s News Responsibly
For readers interested in exploring the platform, here are some best practices:
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Verify Sources – Always cross-check information with reputable outlets.
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Read Critically – Distinguish between opinion, speculation, and fact.
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Engage Respectfully – Use comments to discuss ideas, not attack others.
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Avoid Sharing Unverified Claims – Responsible readership protects community credibility.
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Support Credible Authors – Some contributors on BIN provide legitimate, well-researched work.
Conclusion
Before Its News embodies both the promise and peril of the digital age. It empowers citizens to speak freely, share hidden truths, and question authority—but it also exposes the dangers of unchecked information.
In an era where “fake news” accusations dominate headlines, platforms like BIN remind us of a crucial fact: the freedom to publish comes with the responsibility to discern. Whether you view Before It’s News as a beacon of free speech or a breeding ground for misinformation, it undeniably reflects the ongoing evolution of modern journalism.
By challenging conventional narratives and embracing grassroots voices, Before It’s News has secured its place as one of the most talked-about platforms in alternative media—both loved and criticized, but never ignored.