MTV News: Unfiltered is an American television series created by Steven Rosenbaum that aired on MTV in the 1990s. The half-hour show features footage of real events provided by viewers, and later selected and edited by the show's producers. The videos show controversial events in the viewers' community that were not being covered by traditional news outlets.
Fast Company Magazine described the program this way: "Every segment of 'MTV News UNfiltered' begins with a phone call. About 2,500 a week leave their story pitches on voice mail. Steven Rosenbaum and his BNN colleagues review them, identify the best bets, and send out camcorders to their newest correspondents. It's grassroots programming for a different kind of news program."
The Baltimore Sun wrote in 1995 "I was always struck by the arrogance of news people who thought that they knew what was a story, and that there was no way in," said Steven Rosenbaum, 34, the creator of "Unfiltered," who has long put together magazine-type television stories as an independent producer. Mr. Rosenbaum, who sold the "Unfiltered" idea to MTV and now works as executive producer, said he wants a program that offers ordinary citizens an outlet for their stories without interference from newspaper and network news barons. To do that, "Unfiltered" sends cameras to people and allows them, with some guidance from MTV producers, to shoot their own stories. The work is then edited and given MTV pacing by professionals."
Eli Noam wrote at length about UNfiltered in "Peer-to-Peer Video: The Economics, Policy, and Culture of Today's New Mass Medium"
And Fast Company covered the series in "He's Making News - for the Future: Steve Rosenbaum's programs for MTV and CBS are revolutionizing TV by putting the news in the hands of the people who live it." Many people complain about the news. Steven Rosenbaum is reinventing it. He's the founder and executive producer of a fast-growing production company, Broadcast News Networks (BNN), that's challenging some of the most cherished assumptions behind TV news: what gets covered, who gets on camera, how programs get created. Rosenbaum is making news for the future — and making waves in the process. "I'm counting on the fact that viewers want to take over TV," he declares, "That they want to turn TV inside out, to go from being passive viewers to active participants."
Some of the segments from episodes can be found on YouTube here, here, and here.
The complete list of the episodes and segments in each episode follows:
EPISODE 105
Rolling Rebels.
We sent cameras to three different skateboard enthusiasts across the country. Glenn Bookspan (Rockville Centre, NY), Earnie Salmon (Concord, CA), and Nathan Bett (Marquette, MI) documented their struggles with the powers-that-be over their right to skate in peace. What do you think? Should skaters be allowed to skate where they please, or should they be subject to rules and regulations? Let us know what you think!
The System Sucks.
When Jared Frank was suspended from his high school for publishing an underground newspaper called “Vision”, his friend Tom Yufik wanted to document the story. Jared and Tom disobeyed school orders and took advantage of their first amendment rights by putting out a new issue of the paper, with no further punishment from the administration. Any comments about the right to free speech in within a school environment?
You Can’t Stop Cruising.
Some of our viewers showed the problems they face from local police when they go cruising. We were given an inside view of the situation in Portland, Oregon; Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Virginia Beach, Virginia. The cruisers claim it's their only harmless outlet for fun; while the police say it's a nuisance and a traffic impediment. Any other cruisers out there?
NYPD Blues.
A group of urban homesteaders were evicted from their apartments on New York City's East 13th Street on July 4, 1995 by city police in full riot gear. Annie, a squatter, tells her tale of injustice and terror at the hands of the officials and describes the fear she now lives in, waiting for the next police raid. What is your take on this issue?
Born To Be Wild.
Adam Ford of Boston, Massachusetts went to college for five years and got several degrees before realizing he didn’t want to live in the corporate world. His chosen career as a bike messenger brought him to Toronto, Ontario for the world championship bike messenger Olympics, where Adam came in tenth place. Any other bikers out there?
Wardrobe Warriors.
Many students react most strongly to being told what they can and can not wear to school. Such was the case with dozens of students who called us to lodge complaints against their schools’ newly imposed dress codes. Five students got cameras to show us the ridiculous nature, from banned tattoos and earrings to forbidden backpacks. What do you think of dress codes in schools?
EPISODE 106
Beat The S.A.T.
Jake Easton works for the Princeton Review, teaching high school students how to score better on the Scholastic Aptitude Test, or S.A.T. He feels that the test is a biased survey of knowledge, and does not appropriately reflect the intelligence or potential for students. In his segments Jake shows why the test doesn’t work, and gives tips on how to most effectively beat each section of the test. Anybody have any good tips they want to share? How do you feel about the S.A.T.? Is it a fair measure of students’ abilities?
Ferrets Anonymous.
Nicole (who wants her last name and town to remain anonymous) is in direct violation of California law, because she owns a ferret. While she and her friends find them to be loyal house pets, the state government has declared them illegal. In this piece Nicole shows us what ferrets are like as pets, and speaks to several other members of Ferrets Anonymous, a collective of ferret owners who are banding together to fight the power. Any other illegal pet stories out there?
Jet Ski Junkie.
Jen Berkow is addicted to her jet ski. She spends most of her time riding for pleasure or in competitions around her adopted hometown of West Palm Beach, Florida. Her gripe is with people who have a general disregard for water safety, who are spoiling all the fun for responsible water sport enthusiasts. Give us your personal take on the sport — and it's abuses.
Ministry Of Silly Walks.
Brandon Kennedy and Brian White were sitting around bored four years ago, and came up with a great idea — freestyle walking. Well, they thought it was a great idea, anyway. Unfortunately, most of the teachers at their school don’t agree with them. In this story, we see the troubles Brandon and Brian face while pursuing their preferred past time. What do you think? Should they be allowed to freestyle walk in school?
Some Of My Best Friends Are Bald.
Kate Hewitt had to face the harsh realities of cancer when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease at the age of fifteen. Kate talks about the way her attitude changed due to her involvement in a group for teens with cancer called Some of My Best Friends Are Bald. Her odds for beating the disease are very good, and she realizes now how valuable her life is and how lucky she is to beat “the Big C.” Any personal stories to share?
Italy vs. Iowa.
Poor Matteo Pasino. The Italian student got involved with a foreign exchange program so he could experience the metropolitan glory of an American city for a year. Little did he know that he would be placed in Osceola, Iowa — the most boring place he's ever been. Though he's gaining an entirely new perspective on American culture, he can’t help but feel that his situation sucks.
EPISODE 107
Pugilistic Poultry
If the only animal competition you’ve ever been to is a dog show, brace yourself! Rebecca Andrews takes us on a tour of one of her favorite hobbies — cockfighting. She raises roosters who are bred to peck each other to death in a sort of bird boxing competition. The only catch? The sport is illegal on her home turf of Clay County, Kentucky. She and her group of friends feel this is wrong, since cockfighting is the only thing to do around there. What do you think? Animal rights or excessive boredom? You be the judge.
Striving To Drive
Why is it that someone who is old enough to marry, drive a car, serve in the military, and drink legally can’t rent a car from most major car rental companies? That's a question Dave Werner of St. Louis sought the answer to on the eve of his 25th birthday. Though he was turned down at several companies, he returned the next day and was accepted as a customer. Is it a justified corporate policy or is it age discrimination?
Paraplegic Diver
Scotty Carnahan has cerebral palsy, and he's also a paraplegic due to an auto accident he was in several years ago. His friend Justin Silvia is a professional skydiver who makes a living taking amateurs on tandem skydive missions. As Scotty's birthday drew near, Justin had a great idea — give Scotty a few minutes of freedom from his wheelchair by taking him on a very special adventure! What do you think of Justin's birthday gift to his friend?
Every Picture Tells A Story
Photojournalist Courtney Kealy traveled to exotic Irianjaya to document the comparatively primitive life of the native tribespeople. She feels passionate about recording their way of life before it is phased out by the encroaching Westernization forced upon them by the Indonesian government. Mummies, penis gourds, cigarettes, and native songs and dances — it's all here in Courtney's very special story. What is you’re take on the Westernization of native peoples? Do the benefits outweigh the negatives, or vice versa?
Birth In The Bath
Ellyn MacKay is a registered nurse who feels that she has “the best job in the world.” Unlike most R.N.s, Ellyn helps expectant couples bring their new arrivals into the world in the comfort of a hot tub. She shows us how remarkably calm the labor process is for the mothers, as well as how much more the partner can participate in the process. A groundbreaking piece, but not recommended for the squeamish! What is your personal take on this and other forms of non-conventional childbirth?
The Mosaic Man
If you’ve ever walked through New York City's East Village, you’ve probably seen some of Jim Power's work. For several years now, Jim has been beautifying his neighborhood with elaborate sidewalk and light pole mosaics. In this feature story, Jim explains his passion for his art and his vision for a happier world through mosaics.
EPISODE 108
Worth The Wait
Sex, sex, sex. It's what the media and the advertisers feed us in large daily doses. Well, Crystal Nordberg and some of her friends are taking a defensive stance by swearing their celibacy until marriage through the Christian-values True Love Waits organization. Crystal and her boyfriend Jon explain the reason they’ve sworn themselves to cold showers for the next few years. Do you think the media trivialize sex? Should people wait until marriage? Let us know what you think!
Strife On The Slopes
The long-standing rivalry between skiers and snowboarders finally gets a full-length feature in this Unfiltered piece. We got both sides of the story from skiers, snowboarders, and people who dig both snow sports. Check out the tensions and the triumphs as the two factions slug it out on the slopes! Which group deserves more of the mountain? Can skiers and snowboarders share the trails in peace or should there be separate areas? Give us your viewpoint!
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