[New-imc] Online form: Proposed new IMC! (Erie Indy Media)

[further64 at earthlink.net]

Submitted by: Randy Francisco <further64 at earthlink.net> on Saturday, April 12th, 2003 @ 8:16:21 pm (-0700)

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imc_name:
Erie Indy Media

city:
Erie 

state:
PA

country:
US

contact_name:
Randy Francisco

contact_email:
further64 at earthlink.net

contact_phone:
814-504-3272

tech_name:
Brett Haranin

tech_email:
paco at velocity.net

tech_phone:
814-217-2765

supporting_groups:
All of the following groups have expressed an interest and we expect official endorsments from them within a month.
Erie County Green Party           
9/11 Peace Initiative     Roots Action Group
Erie Gay and Lesbian News
Snow Shoe Films
Legal Action Committee & Political Action Committee of U.E. 506
Erie Environmental Coalition
Pennsylvania Lake Erie Watershed Association
Jobs with Justice Working Group


regional_focus:
yes

critical_dates:


resources:
We have a linux server on a multiple backbone connection where we are currently in the process of configuring sf-active. At this point it is uncertain whether we will be authorized to offer any server space or bandwidth to other IMC\'s, but it is very possible that we will in the future. We come to IMC with an extensive technical background and will offer help with system setup/administration and programming work whenever needed.

outreach:
We have contacted all of the groups listed above and they have all expressed an interest in participating in our organization. There are others that we have contacted who may be more interested once we have something up and running and they see how it will work to benefit them. The Jobs with Justice Group is just forming and we plan on working closely with them as we are both attempting to build coalitions between diverse groups in our area.

introductory_statement:
We feel a need for an independent media voice in Erie because there has been a major conglomeration of media outlets in our area over the past few years. Many issues of public importance are not being adequately addressed or are being trivialized by the corporate media. Corporate media can not be trusted to report stories without bias as they have a vested intrest in the suppresion of facts. Our 
local television affiliates \"ABC & FOX\" are connected and run out of the same building. \"NBC & CBS\" are owned by father and son and use the same editing staff & facilities. Most of the local radio stations are owned by two corporations. \"Next Media\" owns six local stations, and \"Regent Communications\" owns four. 

We have a strong progressive community in our area that is being suppressed by the media as it exists in its current form. \"WE NEED A VOICE!\"

Mission Statement
The Erie Independent Media is dedicated to providing a Community Based Media, where groups and individuals in our region can use their own voice to provide a journalistic alternative to the degrading and insulting coverage of the corporate media. 

It is our mission to: 

Provide an outlet for independant journalists

Unite the activist community by fostering communication between groups. 

Expose the bias in corporate media coverage

To create an non-exclusive system for media reporting

Develop a self-sustaining organization