After just four weeks on the air, GRITtv with Laura Flanders has brought together scores of journalists, activists, authors, filmmakers and other guests to create a new kind of program.

This Sunday, June 8th, immediately following the National Conference on Media Reform, GRITtv will go live, from the Twin Cities when Flanders hosts "Live from Main Street" the first of a series of five town-hall style productions, produced by the Media Consortium with GRITtv. "Your Streets, Your Stories" Live From Main Street takes a look at the National Election from the local point of view. In Minneapolis, Live From Mainstreet will take as its theme: Getting Heard in Election Year - and look at the free speech challenges facing the city in the run up to the Republican Convention. The Media Consortium is a unique collaboration among 45 leading independent media organizations including The Nation, Mother Jones, Free Speech TV, and Link TV.

"Live From Main Street" will stream live Sunday at 3 pm at Firedoglake and GRITtv.org. The program will also be aired on both satellite services (Free Speech TV and Link TV), on radio courtesy of the National Radio Project and blogged about on several websites simultaneously.

GRITtv with Laura Flanders airs Monday-Thursday, four times a day (at 8 and 1 eastern) on Free Speech TV (Dish Network Ch. 9415 - right after Democracy Now) and can be viewed anytime online at Firedoglake.com and GRITtv.org.

"We are so pleased with the response to GRITtv," said host Laura Flanders. "What this team has created in the first month is beyond my expectations and the audience response is both gratifying and thrilling," she continued. "The caliber of guests and segments like 'Got Docs?' are creating exactly the kind of movement media I had hoped for - and it is only getting better."

"Change begins in your home, your work, in your school and in your community," said GRITtv host Laura Flanders, "Independent media is crucially important, but also faces very steep challenges." Flanders continued. "The tremendous response to this program demonstrates just how hungry the public is for unflinching journalism that refuses to bow to corporate or government pressure and engages the public in our discussion," she concluded.

In week three, GRITtv with Laura Flanders was one of the top "HOT" videos on the web (http://www.blip.tv/) . It's already been picked up for syndication on cable in New York (it will join Manhattan Neighborhood Network's line up this summer.) And here is some of what viewer are saying about GRITtv:

"This is must see TV. All the shows are informed, informative and well done." "GRITtv has come out the box in high gear and I see no signs of letting up... This is not mainstream media, this is journalism as it should be. You won't see the same usual cast of characters on GRITtv, but you'll likely not soon forget the guests she has on the show." "Don't miss the debut of GRITtv. It's everything you thought you wanted from Legacy "Liberal" Media -- and much, much more."