[New-imc] santa cruz censorship

[Geoffrey Young]

this is cross-posted as i am on both lists and want to ake the same
comments/suggestions to both.
i have though about this a lot over the last day or so.
the thing about the truly open publicshing system is that it, in a lot of
ways, relieves the individual collectives of complete responsibility for
posts (legal wise). if there is too much sign of an over active editorial
policy, then wouldnt the folks running the site be seen as "endorsing"the
posts they dont remove. if that is the case, then when something actionable
gets posted, they have a much greater likelyhood of being held libel.
if there is no editorial policy aside from a small number of specific
things that allow a post to be removed, then the editors cant be held
libel. they would just claim, "this is an open-publiching, non-edited site,
like writing on the wall".
however, if there is too much evidence of editorial control, then the claim
to true open-publishing wouldnt be as strong.
if i was to decide what to do, i would contact the santa cruz folks and
explain this too them. tell them "dont worry, all the imcs have bullshit
posted now and then/all the time" and that "its important to the spirit of
the thing that controversial/ unpopular ideas get out through indymedia. in
only creates an alternative media outlet to mainstream rather than an
alternative media SYSTEM to the mainstream. explain to them that the
bullshit posts that get up are not a reflection on them in any way, nor
will they be viewed negatively by imc for posting controversial ideas. it
takes strength and faith in the imc system to allow something you strongly
disagree with to be posted on a site yer part of. in a lot of ways, it that
strength of diversity of ideas thats made it what it is.
maybe after this is explained to them, they will see the point and
voluntarily shift their editorial practice to be more open.
i dont think its necessary to make any sort of indoctment against the santa
cruz people or to be confrontational in any way. i dont think its necessary
to demand an explanation as much as just re-assert the fact that open
publishing is at the core of the spirirt/strength of indymedia. make it
encouragment because that is what is needed here. encourage them to put
stuff up that they find hard to deal with.
maybe if approached in this way things will just sort of iron themselves
out without anybody looking bitchy or looking like they are trying to
influence the way other imcs are run.
leave the honess upon santa cruz to act as they see fit in order to try and
defeat this specific problem. its important that outside folks dont try to
exercise control over sanhta-cruz collective. we can just make opiuons know
and encourage responsive action which we, individually find agreeable.
thats it
thanks for the patience folks
geoffrey young


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