On this special Best of CounterSpin, program we look back over some of what was news for the mainstream media in 2006—and some of what wasn't news, but should've been.

Our guests this year included a range of activists, researchers and journalists—all of whom had an angle on events that we thought worth hearing and, more often than not, one you weren't hearing many other places. Whether the issue was medicare or immigration, Wal-Mart or welfare policy, each in his or her way reminded us of the need to see beyond the narrow, often distorted dialog provided by the corporate press—and to seek out and create other venues for the kind of vital, informed conversations that democracy requires.

We're going to hear from just a few of those voices again on this special Best Of Counterspin for 2006. We hope you enjoy it.