[New-imc] Re: [iraq-supporters] Funding al-muajaha - some questions

[Petros Evdokas]

> "Justin Alexander (Jubilee Iraq)" wrote:
> 
> Dear Ramzi and others in Iraq,
> 
> 
> 
> Some questions:
> 
> (1) Is Al-Muajaha a commercial venture or a
> non-profit? This will affect who might be potential
> donors / investors.
> 
> (2) Frequency of publishing – are you still aiming at
> being weekly, or is it going to be more like
> fortnightly?
> 
> (3) Print runs: Are you intending on selling the
> paper at the print cost (which Ramzi estimated at
> about 25c per issue) + distribution cost, or at a
> margin above this (how much?).
> 
> (4) Is external funding needed primarily for start up
> costs? (equipment + a float to make advances on rent,
> salaries etc. ahead of income from paper sales). Is
> $10-20k still a reasonable estimate of these?
> 
> (5) Are the Al-muajaha crew interested in getting
> involved in radio and TV broadcasts? I would have
> thought there is a need for a young independent input
> into these media.
> 
> 
> 
> Justin
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Justin Alexander
> Sent: 22 July 2003 10:37
> To: rrkysia at yahoo.com
> Subject: Funding al-muajaha
> 
> 
> 
> Dear Ramzi,
> 
> 
> 
> I’m a Voices UK person and have been looking around
> for potential donors to support Al-Muajaha. I’ve just
> got hold of your May 16th business plan and wonder if
> there’s any important updates since then on plans and
> need?
> 
> 
> 
> I’m meeting Stephen King, the Director of the BBC
> World Service Trust (which supporters emerging media,
> and which has just published a report on broadcast
> media in Iraq
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/us/trust/030717_iraqmediaaudit.shtml)
> on Friday to talk about Al-Muajaha – they might be
> able to provide training and/or funding.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> 
> 
> Justin Alexander
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 
> "I know that changing the world is not easy
> but it remains necessary nonetheless." - Fadhil
> al-Azzawi
> 
> www.JustinAlexander.net | tel +44 7813 137171
> 
> Weblog | Jubilee Iraq | Future of Iraq portal
> 
> 
> 
>    -------------------------------------         


I'd like you all to know that I have grave concerns
about this thing that's being billed as 'baghdad imc". 

As you know, I voiced my concerns from the very
beginning, and most of those had to do with the refusal
of this (suport) group to state clarly that it stands
against the US/ UK invasion and occupation of Iraq. My
concerns were ignored.

The only voices generateing excitiment were those
saying "stay away from poltics" and wanting to just
pour money and equipment into this project.

In the absense of political principles, it's going from
bland to bad to worse.
First pretending it's an imc group, then collaborating
with anyone who might offer money, now with BBC, now
it's becoming a business....   Please! I've reached the
end of my tolerance with lack of principles, and
solidarity- tourism.

If there is anyone with similar concerns, please
contact me. (I'm not interested in arguing bullshit
about this anymore, people are dying from this
occupation. Please only contact me if we have real
things to say to each other). 

And I expect the new-imc group to show some spine about
this, finally.

Petros,
imc volunteer
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