IndyNews.org has a complex and storied history, transitioning from its early role as a platform for independent media and grassroots journalism to becoming a tool for political manipulation. Originally founded as part of the global Indymedia Network in the early 2000s, IndyNews.org was once a prominent voice for social justice, environmental activism, and anti-globalization movements. The site served as a digital meeting ground for activists, providing an alternative to mainstream narratives and empowering marginalized voices.
However, by the mid-2010s, the domain fell into dormancy, a common fate among many Indymedia-affiliated sites as the independent media movement struggled to adapt to the changing digital landscape. This period of inactivity left IndyNews.org vulnerable to appropriation, and in the years leading up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election, the domain was hijacked by right-wing actors. Steve Bannon’s team, along with Breitbart News and data firms like Cambridge Analytica, recognized its latent value and transformed it into a hub for disinformation and voter manipulation.
The once-leftist platform, built to challenge power structures, was turned into a tool for advancing far-right agendas, including xenophobic narratives and targeted misinformation campaigns. This rebranding, though hidden behind seemingly neutral articles, was a stark departure from its roots.
Today, the site is under new ownership. Roughly a year ago, a group of anonymous individuals purchased IndyNews.org with the goal of reclaiming it from its tarnished past. Their mission is to dismantle the associations with disinformation and restore the site’s credibility, hoping to turn it back into a reliable source for independent perspectives and unbiased analysis.
Timeline of IndyNews.org
- Early 2000s: Launched as part of the global Indymedia Network, IndyNews.org served as a platform for independent journalism and grassroots reporting, focusing on social justice and anti-globalization causes.
- 2010: As the influence of Indymedia waned, the domain fell into relative obscurity. IndyNews.org’s original content was left untouched, but the site ceased to be actively maintained.
- 2015-2016: The dormant domain is hijacked by ultra-right groups, including Steve Bannon’s media network and Cambridge Analytica. The site is transformed into a far-right disinformation hub, undermining its original mission.
- 2017-2020: The site continues to serve as a propaganda outlet, amassing backlinks from thousands of sites, all redirecting to right-wing content.
- 2023: The current anonymous owners purchase the domain with the aim of restoring its original purpose as a platform for balanced, independent journalism.