[IMC-bristol] Fwd: PRESS RELEASE: Almuajaha / Bristol IMC Twinning with Baghdad

[Spike]

----------  Forwarded Message  ----------

Subject: PRESS RELEASE: Almuajaha / Bristol IMC Twinning with Baghdad
Date: Friday 06 June 2003 2:52 pm
From: Mike Tonks 
To: editor at media.guardian.co.uk

PRESS RELEASE: 6 June 2003

Volunteers from Bristol Indymedia Collective have begun work on an
international twinning project, based on direct contacts with Baghdad via
individuals and groups such as Voices in the Wilderness, Bristol Stop The War
and Bristol Palestinian Solidarity Campaign.

This project has hit immediate success.  Using free mailing list facilities
and computer software provided by Indymedia, volunteers have set up a website
in the space of a few weeks, and have helped to publish many articles and
pictures directly from Baghdad.  All this has been achieved with virtually no
overheads.

The group in Baghdad are concentrating on producing the Almuajaha newspaper,
possibly the first and only independent source of news in Iraq for many
years.  The group are composed of young people, and they have posted us their
pictures for the website.  Copies of the Almuajaha newspaper have been
distributed in Bristol in both English and Arabic.

It is intended that the bristol group will maintain the website until such a
time as the group in Baghdad can take over.

Despite problems with internet connectivity in Baghdad, we have just received
the second issue in the last few days, and are working on posting articles
and pictures to the website, which will continue over the next few days and
weeks.  Issue 3 is promised very soon - watch this space.

"This project has been totally inspiring.  I got involved after hearing
emotional talks by Jo Wilding in Bristol, who spoke about young iraqis daring
to run political websites under the Saddam regime, and the difficulties they
faced.  I wanted to help, and have been pleased to make this contact with
people across such a wide international divide. It has been a rush of
activity, such an emotional thing to do.  I have literally been in tears in
front of my computer screen, on receiving and reading some of this
information.  I am amazed by the skill, intelligence and compassion of these
people in a dificult situation." Mike Tonks - Bristol Indymedia Volunteer
[Web Technician]

Bristol Indymedia has received donations for this project and has recently
sent £350 in US dollars to the team in Iraq.  Donations should be sent to
Bristol Indymedia, Box 7, Greenleaf Bookshop, 82 Colston St, Bristol BS1 5BB

Website: http://www.almuajaha.com

Issue 2 [raw files]: http://www.almuajaha.com/issue2

Issue 2 [pictures]: http://www.almuajaha.com/feature/display/427/index.php

Staff Pictures: http://www.almuajaha.com/feature/display/463/index.php

Bristol Indymedia: http://bristol.indymedia.org

FFI contact imc-bristol at lists.indymedia.org

In Bristol: Mike Tonks - mike at bettercode.com

In Baghdad: Ramzi Kysia - rrkysia at yahoo.com

Images and text from the website can be used for publicity of this project
only.


----------------------------

Fundraising: A benefit gig for Iraq Indymedia

Monday 9th June @ The Croft, Stokes Croft. 7.30pm till late - featuring: Rob
Newman - comedian (Mary Whitehouse Experience, Newman and Baddiel in Pieces),
Popstar Liberation Front - DJ, VJ and spoken word (Deathsucker, Party 4
Peace) and the Dolan Molins Quartet Cost: 3 quid (get there early!) For
further information phone: 07976 787335 or email
hearsay at popstarliberationfront.org.uk

-----------------------------

Advance Notice: Bristol Indymedia will be hosting a Community News Day at the
Cube on 14th June 2003.

“Whoever controls the media....controls the culture." Allen Ginsberg

The Bristol IMC volunteer collective are planning a community news & media
event. The information below gives an idea of where we’ve got planned so far.
Is there anything you’d like to see that’s not there? Could you come along
and share a particular skill? Could you help with planning, or on the day?

All feedback appreciated. All offers of help/cash/loan of equipment leapt on.

bristol community news day
making the media


14th June 2003: morning, ‘noon and night
at the Cube Cinema Microplex, Dove Street South (off King Square) Bristol

a community news & media event hosted by the bristol IMC volunteer collective

morning
OPEN SESSION for anyone with an interest in grassroots, independent local
media. Whatever your level of (in)experience, this is a chance for you to:
- share your experience, enthusiasm and ideas
- find people to help you with your existing project
- find out about existing projects and get involved
- find like-minded people to start something new

‘noon
a range of entry-level workshops, such as:
- how do I get my video footage onto the internet?
- tips on producing newsletters and other print communications
- subvertising: where do I start?
- wireless internet with CLAN (Easton wireless internet collective): lash a
tin can to your roof and save the whole street money!
- broadband radio and pirate radio: what’s it all about?

night
local and not-so-local independent film and video and music:
eat, drink and plot what’s next in the convivial atmosphere of the cube

background to this event
Across the world, more and more people are reclaiming ‘the media’, putting
together independent print and online publications, radio shows, video
documentaries and more – communicating with each other about the things that
matter to us. Whilst the ownership of mainstream media in Bristol, as
elsewhere, is concentrated in the hands of, and represents the interests of,
the few, Bristol is also home to a host of independent grassroots projects in
all manner of media. This event is designed to celebrate the range of
independent media activity across the city, and to provide those who are, or
would like to be, involved in community media projects with an opportunity to
meet, debate, learn, share skills, and make plans for the future to ensure
that this high level of activity is sustained.

-----------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------