[CIMC-work] (suggestion for discussing pan-IMC editorial policy) Fwd: Re: [IMC-Process] Hello

[Chris Kaihatsu]

___

America Unfit to "Change the World"
blackcommentator.com/89/89_cover_change_world.html

Freedom Rider - White Supremacy in Iraq
blackcommentator.com/89/89_freedom_rider_iraq.html

Fascism Never Resigns, It Must Be Removed.
newswire.indymedia.org/en/newswire/2004/05/802833.shtml

Why 'the Good War' Wasn't So Good 
www.worldnewsstand.net/04/John_Kaminski/20.htm

AP President Proposes Media Lobby to Fight Government Secrecy 
truthout.org/docs_04/051104J.shtml






------- Forwarded Message
To: imc-process at lists.indymedia.org
Cc: 
Subject: Re: [IMC-Process] Hello
From: Guamanian <guamanian at telus.net>
Date: Wed, 05 May 2004 19:22:35 -0700
Message-ID: <4099A16B.4030109 at telus.net>

IMC-Process-istas

Nessie raises some very serious concerns, many of which I feel are not 
specific to Vancouver IMC, but are encoded in some interpretations of 
the Open Publishing process.

Likewise, the recent use of IMC Newswires to run a disinformation 
campaign against the 'Eastern Forest Defense Camp' illustrates the power 
of the IMC Newswire to amplify and distribute false news intended to 
damage activist actions.

I'd be interested in starting a discussion aimed at creating a 'minimal' 
code of editorial practice to be put forward as a recommendation for all 
IMCs.

This would include basics such as banning death threats, intentional 
disinformation posts, and posts by self-identified racist, sexist, 
fascist organizations.

The 'minimal' editorial code would include only the policies all IMCs 
can reach consensus on.

I think discussion of the grey-area issues that not all IMCs will agree 
on should take place outside of the 'minimal code'.

(We may be surprised at what is disputed and what is considered 
acceptable by some IMCs, due to our various cultural and interpretive 
filters. I would not want to let preparing a 'minimal code' get bogged 
down in arguing over the disputed areas. They should instead be set 
aside for a second set of recommendations.)

Is IMC-Process the place for this kind of discussion?

In Solidarity;

- Guamanian



> The only way that Indymedia can accomplish it's mission is if it can be 
> taken seriously as a news source.  It must be credible. And we IMCistas 
> must be credible, not just as journalists, but as activists.
> 
> This can only happen if we institute better quality control. We need not 
> only to fact check, so that disinformation is not distributed under 
> Indymedia's name, but also purge our sites of all enemy propaganda. When 
> IMC locals allow Indymedia's name and reputation to be used to advertise 
> Nazism, glorify rape, preach war, defend colonialism, excuse 
> exploitation, etc., it hurts us all. It discredits all Indymedia and 
> every IMCista, and directly counteracts all the good that we could 
> otherwise accomplish.
> 
> What are we going to do about it? Are we going to allow a few people to 
> soil Indymedia's reputation, and ruin all our work, or are we going to 
> act, and soon, before it's too late?
> 
> Personally, I prefer peer pressure and moral persuasion, but if that 
> doesn't work, we're are going to have to do something  else. I don't 
> know what, but it has to to be something loud and in public. In 
> journalism, credibility is everything. It is absolutely imperative that 
> we protect Indymedia's reputation. If we allow it to be dishonored, we 
> negate all the trust we we have so painstakingly built up since Seattle.


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