[IMC-bristol] [Fwd: IMC Baghdad]

[Mike Tonks]

Hey I-Mad, Indymedia folks,

It is great news that IMC-Beirut have got involved in the project, as it 
badly needs support. I'm sorry to post across lists like this, but I 
think it is usefull at this stage to try to close the loop - these 
channels in Indymedia communication do not seem to work very well sometimes.

I-Mad's summary seems spot on. I would add that several activists / film 
makers from Voices In The Wilderness have also been out in Baghdad 
supporting this project since around June, but have now left. There was 
an excellent article recently in New Internationalist about the project.

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	IMC Baghdad
Date: 	Thu, 30 Oct 2003 11:17:43 +0200
From: 	Imad Mortada <rockystorm at hotmail.com>
To: 	mike at bettercode.com, gurneyernie at yahoo.co.uk
CC: 	rrkysia at yahoo.com



**

*Hey Mike and Jo, (also Ramiz, where are you man!)*

*I have sent this email to the process list but it has been held by the 
moderator for the past three days (have no clue why – hope you can get 
by).. I thought I'd let you know since you both are involved in the 
project (especially Mike since you are on the list)*

*Hey all,*

* *

*It is I-Mad from IMC Beirut.*

* *

*P.S. Everything is in this email is up for debate.. your feedback is 
required!*

* *

*I am currently in Baghdad to help the Al Muajaha group set up there own 
IMC. I have met with the group, and they are all excited and 
enthusiastic about their paper which is technically doing fine. *

* *

*Few problems I have noticed*

* *

    * *Only three of those I met (totaling to 10) have heard of
      Indymedia before!*
    * *The paper that they issue, Al Muajaha, is sold for around half a
      dollar to cover the print cost and pay for the rent of the office
      (which they are not managing so far)*
    * *Their control over the website is practically non existent though
      they advertise the webpage on their paper and through their print
      work. (though Mike is working on giving them control)*

* *

*From what I noticed hanging out with them, they can be a great 
Indymedia project. I talked to many of them about the project and they 
are all excited now. We are meeting on Friday (in three days) to discuss 
Indymedia extensively and go over the membership criteria and principles 
of unity.*

* *

*I am writing to update you on the situation here since a lot of 
ambiguity has been surrounding the issue!*

* *

*I am in contact with Mike (who I believe is on this list as well) from 
IMC Bristol to shift control to the group here. But I believe this 
should not be done before few stuff are agreed upon*

* *

    * *More people should be invited from Baghdad, the current group,
      though very enthusiastic about the project, it is only diversity
      comes with the age aspect (they range from 16 to 35)*
    * *None of the people involved are activists or currently involved
      with any kind of struggle, let alone left issues. (though I
      believe people are welcomed in Indymedia, yet activists are needed
      on board)*
    * *The first issues I saw from the print edition were good, covering
      most of the violations committed by the Coalition occupation
      forces, but the last one is just a typical corporate newspaper. It
      has a last page of variety news (i.e. Ben Afleck and J Lo broke
      up) – only two of the articles published are written by Al Muajaha
      staff, the rest are a collection of news from various news
      agencies! - though they explained that it was a mistake due to the
      school start and a hasty decision.*

* *

*I am working with them on all the above, and they seem interested. 
Noting that except for me they are all locals (the group amounts to 25 
people, and I am working with them to issue an invitation to more people 
from various leftist groups and activist circles around the city)*

* *

*Things here are not the usual circumstances, thus it is very hard to 
get people together, especially with bombings and stuff. Add to it most 
of the people can afford transportation fees. *

*But after seeing what things are like here and the way the corporate 
media is covering the news I believe an IMC Baghdad is highly needed! 
Things are not what they seem like, and the group here has managed to 
reveal a lot of the news that the Coalition forces are subjecting to 
media black out!*

*For any further inquiries please email me!*

* *

*In-Solidarity*

*I-Mad.*


------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tired of spam? Get advanced junk mail protection 
<http://g.msn.com/8HMAEN/2734??PS=> with MSN 8.