Thomas Harding (publisher)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Harding is a British journalist, videographer and publisher who is known for running media organizations that cover stories that other news outlets will not cover.
In December 2006 he became co-owner and publisher of The Observer newspaper, West Virginia
. In February 2010 he was awarded the West Virginia Journalist of the Year by the Justice Association of West Virginia. In September 2010 the paper won a freedom of information act (FOIA) case before the WV Supreme Court which resulted in referendum petitions being released to the paper. During Harding's time as publisher the circulation of the paper quadrupled from 6000 to 25000. In July 2010 he sued the WV Secretary of State over a gag order. In October of the same year, criminal charges against him were dropped for taking a photograph in a Polling Station. In 2010 and 2011 he worked with John Doyle, a delegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates, to get West Virginia's first ever law passed to protect reporters' privilege
from revealing their sources. In March 2011 this law was passed by the West Virginia House and Senate. In March 2011 he sold his interest in the paper to editor David Lillard.
While he pursued his media career, Harding has also built a successful real estate business. He is the broker of Greg Didden Associates, the longest running real estate company in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, selling residential and commercial properties, as well as running his own property management and development portfolios. In 2003, Harding joined with Dominic Valentine and launched an environmentally focussed land development company Rattlesnake Run, that has developed two large tracts of land according to conservation principals.
Before moving to the USA, he co-founded and managed the award-winning video collective Undercurrents (news)
- Okomedia, Tokyo Video Festival, Paris Environmental Film Festival, London Environment Film Festival – that became known for covering stories not covered by others news organizations. Undercurrents became part of the DIY culture and general protest upswing in the 1990s. and was the inspiration for an entire generation of committed video journalists.
Harding also founded Undercurrents Foundation that trained hundreds of video journalists in Europe, Australia and the USA on the ABCs of investigative and advocacy videography.
He and his wife were joint CEOs and co-founders of Oxford Channel one of the first local terrestrial television stations in the UK. It was purchased by Milestone Group in 2001 but is now defunct. During this time Harding founded Local Television Training that trained over three hundred young disadvantaged people from Oxford and surrounding areas in broadcast journalism. Many of these graduated and work currently in UK television.
Harding is credited with coining the phrase "video activism." His book The Video Activist Handbook, with preface by Anita Roddick
, was published in 1998 by Pluto Press
. His second book, Video for Change, with a preface from Peter Gabriel
was published by Verso Books
in 2002.
In the early 1990s, he worked as a producer for Small World Productions, Central Television and Television Trust for the Environment
, working on a variety of documentary and news feature projects.
In 1986, he took part in a year-long bike ride, Four Corners World Bike Ride, to raise awareness of Appropriate Technology
and the work of Intermediate Technology Development Group. He cycled over 10,000 miles with three others from La Paz, Bolivia, across the USA (with Bike Aid) and back to Europe.
Harding is now father to two children.
Harding was educated at Corpus Christi, Cambridge and Georgetown University
.
In December 2006 he became co-owner and publisher of The Observer newspaper, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. In February 2010 he was awarded the West Virginia Journalist of the Year by the Justice Association of West Virginia. In September 2010 the paper won a freedom of information act (FOIA) case before the WV Supreme Court which resulted in referendum petitions being released to the paper. During Harding's time as publisher the circulation of the paper quadrupled from 6000 to 25000. In July 2010 he sued the WV Secretary of State over a gag order. In October of the same year, criminal charges against him were dropped for taking a photograph in a Polling Station. In 2010 and 2011 he worked with John Doyle, a delegate in the West Virginia House of Delegates, to get West Virginia's first ever law passed to protect reporters' privilege
Reporters' Privilege
Reporters' privilege in the United States, is a "reporter's protection under constitutional or statutory law, from being compelled to testify about confidential information or sources"...
from revealing their sources. In March 2011 this law was passed by the West Virginia House and Senate. In March 2011 he sold his interest in the paper to editor David Lillard.
While he pursued his media career, Harding has also built a successful real estate business. He is the broker of Greg Didden Associates, the longest running real estate company in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, selling residential and commercial properties, as well as running his own property management and development portfolios. In 2003, Harding joined with Dominic Valentine and launched an environmentally focussed land development company Rattlesnake Run, that has developed two large tracts of land according to conservation principals.
Before moving to the USA, he co-founded and managed the award-winning video collective Undercurrents (news)
Undercurrents (news)
Undercurrents is an alternative video news network which began with the UK distribution of videotapes shot by volunteers. It has since expanded to include a web presence, media training for volunteers, and a film festival, BeyondTV.-History:...
- Okomedia, Tokyo Video Festival, Paris Environmental Film Festival, London Environment Film Festival – that became known for covering stories not covered by others news organizations. Undercurrents became part of the DIY culture and general protest upswing in the 1990s. and was the inspiration for an entire generation of committed video journalists.
Harding also founded Undercurrents Foundation that trained hundreds of video journalists in Europe, Australia and the USA on the ABCs of investigative and advocacy videography.
He and his wife were joint CEOs and co-founders of Oxford Channel one of the first local terrestrial television stations in the UK. It was purchased by Milestone Group in 2001 but is now defunct. During this time Harding founded Local Television Training that trained over three hundred young disadvantaged people from Oxford and surrounding areas in broadcast journalism. Many of these graduated and work currently in UK television.
Harding is credited with coining the phrase "video activism." His book The Video Activist Handbook, with preface by Anita Roddick
Anita Roddick
Dame Anita Roddick, DBE was a British businesswoman, human rights activist and environmental campaigner, best known as the founder of The Body Shop, a cosmetics company producing and retailing beauty products that shaped ethical consumerism...
, was published in 1998 by Pluto Press
Pluto Press
Pluto Press is a radical, progressive, independent publisher based in London. Pluto Press specialises in "progressive, critical perspectives in politics and the social sciences", and describes itself as "one of the world’s leading radical publishers". It has published authors such as Noam Chomsky,...
. His second book, Video for Change, with a preface from Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
was published by Verso Books
Verso Books
Verso Books is a publishing house based in London and New York City, founded in 1970 by the staff of New Left Review. The company claims "global sales approaching $3 million per year and over 350 titles in print," possibly making it "the largest radical publisher in the English-language...
in 2002.
In the early 1990s, he worked as a producer for Small World Productions, Central Television and Television Trust for the Environment
Television Trust for the Environment
Television Trust for the Environment is an independent, international not-for-profit organisation founded 27 years ago by Central Television, UNEP and WWF...
, working on a variety of documentary and news feature projects.
In 1986, he took part in a year-long bike ride, Four Corners World Bike Ride, to raise awareness of Appropriate Technology
Appropriate technology
Appropriate technology is an ideological movement originally articulated as "intermediate technology" by the economist Dr...
and the work of Intermediate Technology Development Group. He cycled over 10,000 miles with three others from La Paz, Bolivia, across the USA (with Bike Aid) and back to Europe.
Harding is now father to two children.
Harding was educated at Corpus Christi, Cambridge and Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
.
Sources
- Video Activist Handbook, Thomas Harding, Pluto Press, 1998
- Video For Change, Thomas Harding et al., Verso, 2002
- Taking on the little guy
- Publisher sues WV Secretary of State
- Shield Law in WV
- Shield Law in WV