[New-imc] Questions about Open Publishing

[Val Todorov]

changsing wrote:

>>(http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Local/ImcRomaniaSummary030727Debate)
>>    
>>
>
>i'll just share a few thoughts here.
>i think there is quite a difference between pre-publication and post-publication application of policies.
>
The Romanian group say they had:
"bad experiences with the new right infiltrating mailing lists (under 
false names) to do some baiting and provoke scandals";
"some really nasty flame wars and vulgar insults between anarchists & 
activists of other persuasions";
"racist propaganda, and the kind of stupid, infantile remarks and 
one-liner insults we've seen on mailing lists (which tend to continue 
interminably)";

I have to admit that the situation in Bulgaria is quite similar. 
Nevertheless, I personally favor the 'Dutch' (moderated after publishing 
on frontpage) model of open publishing over the 'German'  (moderated 
before publishing on frontpage).

Why? Some fine points were made that moderating before publishing is not 
really "open publishing". But I want to emphasize on the pragmatical 
problems that the pre-publishing moderation creates.

I'm new to IMC but I did have my experience with moderated activists 
lists during the anti-war actions in the USA in February and March. The 
moderated lists turned out to be very ineffective and a real bottle-neck 
for passing urgent information in a rapidly changing situation. Some 
protest actions suffered because people were not mobilized fast enough 
due to moderation of the posts. Mind you, the moderation was established 
for all the good reasons, to protect the members from "white noise" and 
to keep the channel open for the really IMPORTANT announcements. The bad 
thing is that the  IMPORTANT announcements get to the people TOO late 
sometimes.

So I'd suggest to the Romanian group and my friends in Bulgaria to go 
with the "Dutch" model first. And only if and when it proves totally 
ineffective, to think about the "German" one or other alternatives. I 
also agree with Blicero that "at the beginning i don't think you will 
have such an overcrowded newswire :)))" So staying on top of the things 
shouldn't be such a problem.

In solidarity,
Val