[New-imc] SANTA BARBARA (internal decision deadline, Nov. 17, 16:00 GMT)

Jay jaypsand at yahoo.com
Mon Nov 17 17:40:33 PST 2003


A response from KT from the Santa Barbara IMC to a question Mike from IMC 
Philly asked about their editorial policy.  I think the fact that they're 
having these discussions internally is a good sign, and bodes well for 
their ability to work well together as an IMC.  Since there was only one 
question, the one from Mike, which I think the SB group is working on 
addressing, and no real dissent, I'm going to pass along their information 
to the imc-process and imc-communication lists.

>X-Apparently-To: jaypsand at yahoo.com via 216.109.117.232; Fri, 14 Nov 2003 
>17:59:31 -0800
>X-Original-To: new-imc at indymedia.org
>Delivered-To: new-imc at indymedia.org
>Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:45:38 -0800 (PST)
>From: KT Jarmul <kt-jarmul at umail.ucsb.edu>
>To: Jay <jaypsand at yahoo.com>
>Subject: Re: Fwd: Re: [New-imc]  SANTA BARBARA (internal decision deadline,
>   Nov. 17, 16:00 GMT)
>X-Virus-Scanner: umail.ucsb.edu found no viruses in this message
>X-Mailman-Approved-At: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:58:37 -0800
>Cc: ginnybrowne at riseup.net
>Cc: new-imc at indymedia.org
>X-BeenThere: new-imc at lists.indymedia.org
>X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.1
>Reply-To: kt-jarmul at umail.ucsb.edu
>List-Id: Working group that handles requests for new-imc's/ Grupo de trabajo
>         que evalua las peticiones de los nuevos imc's
>         <new-imc.lists.indymedia.org>
>List-Unsubscribe: <http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc>,
>         <mailto:new-imc-request at lists.indymedia.org?subject=unsubscribe>
>List-Archive: <http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/new-imc>
>List-Post: <mailto:new-imc at lists.indymedia.org>
>List-Help: <mailto:new-imc-request at lists.indymedia.org?subject=help>
>List-Subscribe: <http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc>,
>         <mailto:new-imc-request at lists.indymedia.org?subject=subscribe>
>Sender: new-imc-bounces at lists.indymedia.org
>X-OriginalArrivalTime: 15 Nov 2003 02:04:20.0578 (UTC) 
>FILETIME=[C8619C20:01C3AB1C]
>
>Hi Jay and New IMC-istas.
>
>I just got off the phone with some people in our web group and they have
>done some research on IMC code unsigned posting.  They determined that
>what we will do, and what most IMCs do, is to allow posting with an
>anonymous handle, however, the levels of trust and authenticity of
>anonymous posting is lower.  Also, of course, we have an editorial
>disclaimer that states that we are not responsible for researching posts
>on the newswire, however, we will obviously not feature stories written by
>uninformed posters.
>
>On the copyright issue, we had not encountered this previously in reading
>over numerous IMC policies.  Although we do have an editorial disclaimer,
>modeled after many we saw on IMC sites, I have never seen such a ban in an
>editorial policy.  Mike, how does your IMC deal with this?
>
>I spoke briefly with some other SB IMCers and the general consensus is
>that some things need to be cited (such as AP, etc); but that some
>educational news and writing is easily republished under academic freedom
>if the organization is not using it for personal gain.  In any case,
>feedback and advice from more experienced IMCs is necessary (that's why we
>came to you all in the first place... :)
>
>In solidarity,
>KT
>
>--
>KT Jarmul
>kt-jarmul at umail.ucsb.edu
>KCSB Associate News and PA Director
>news at kcsb.org
>(805) 893-2426
>
>On Fri, 14 Nov 2003, Jay wrote:
>
> > Ginny and KT,
> >
> > A short question about your information from Mike who is part of the
> > new-imc working group.
> >
> > Jay
> >
> > >X-Symantec-TimeoutProtection: 0
> > >X-Symantec-TimeoutProtection: 1
> > >X-Apparently-To: jaypsand at yahoo.com via 216.109.117.227; Fri, 14 Nov 2003
> > >07:30:40 -0800
> > >Date: Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:29:43 -0500
> > >From: Mike R <micro.zen at verizon.net>
> > >X-Mailer: The Bat! (v1.49) Personal
> > >To: Jay <jaypsand at yahoo.com>
> > >Subject: Re: [New-imc]  SANTA BARBARA (internal decision deadline, Nov.
> > >17, 16:00 GMT)
> > >X-Authentication-Info: Submitted using SMTP AUTH at out005.verizon.net
> > >from [141.158.229.201] at Fri, 14 Nov 2003 09:30:38 -0600
> > >
> > >Hi Jay,
> > >
> > >do other IMCs hide unsigned material?  Should SB also hide illegally
> > >reprinted copyrighted material?
> > >
> > >Friday, November 14, 2003, 10:17:07 AM, Jay said:
> > >
> > >J> Hi new-imc working group,
> > >
> > >J> This is from the aspiring Santa Barbara (U.S.).  Take a look at it and
> > >J> respond, if you have any responses, by 16:00 GMT on November 17.
> > >
> > >J> Jay
> > >
> > >J>  > At 10/28/2003, ginnybrowne at riseup.net wrote:
> > >J>  >>IMC MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA - Santa Barbara IMC
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>Each IMC and Global Working Group is expected to:
> > >J>  >>a. Agree in spirit to the NIMC Mission Statement and Principles of
> > >Unity,
> > >J>  >>         We have consensed on them.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>b. Have a committed membership substantial enough to sustain a
> > >functional
> > >J>  >>IMC,
> > >J>  >>         We currently have a core organizing group of about 20 
> members,
> > >J>  >> with over
> > >J>  >>50 people on our internal email lists, many of whom attend meetings
> > >J>  >>sporadically.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>c. Have open and public meetings (no one group can have exclusionary
> > >J>  >>"ownership" of an IMC),
> > >J>  >>         Our meetings are always open and announced publicly.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>d. Work toward developing a local Mission Statement or Statement of
> > >J>  >> Purpose.
> > >J>  >>         Our MISSION STATEMENT is as follows:
> > >J>  >>The Santa Barbara Independent Media Center is an autonomous,
> > >J>  >>community-based collective committed to using media production and
> > >J>  >>distribution as a tool for promoting social and economic 
> justice.  By
> > >J>  >>providing the training and the channels, SB-IMC creates
> > >opportunities for
> > >J>  >>individuals and groups who are misrepresented in the mainstream 
> media to
> > >J>  >>report on the issues they face within the community.  Through our
> > >J>  >>affiliation with the IMC network, we seek to draw connections 
> between
> > >J>  >>local and global struggles.  We generate alternatives to the current
> > >J>  >>profit-based and state-dominated media to contribute to the 
> development
> > >J>  >> of
> > >J>  >>an equitable and sustainable society.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>Toward these goals, we aim,
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>* To encourage, facilitate, and support the creation of 
> independent news
> > >J>  >>gathering and reporting.
> > >J>  >>* To offer training in news reporting, internet and media skills.
> > >J>  >>* To encourage all people to view themselves as news makers, and 
> to look
> > >J>  >>for news sources and inspiration within their daily lives.
> > >J>  >>* To cover local events that are ignored or poorly covered by 
> corporate
> > >J>  >>media.
> > >J>  >>* To provide edited audio, video, and print stories of the above 
> on the
> > >J>  >>internet for independent media outlets and the general public.
> > >J>  >>* To facilitate networking and coordination for the coverage of 
> local
> > >J>  >>events as well as share information and announcements about 
> events of
> > >J>  >>interest to the Santa Barbara social justice community.
> > >J>  >>* To build a more inclusive and representative community through
> > >J>  >> bilingual
> > >J>  >>Spanish/English communication
> > >J>  >>* To provide links to alternative media, activist, and research 
> groups.
> > >J>  >>* To encourage a world where globalization is not about 
> homogeneity and
> > >J>  >>exploitation, but about diversity and cooperation.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>e. Establish and publish an editorial policy which is developed and
> > >J>  >>functions through democratic process, and with full transparency,
> > >J>  >>         Our ED POLICY is as follows:
> > >J>  >>SB-IMC is dedicated to open publishing [link] as a means of 
> creating a
> > >J>  >>transparent community forum for events and issues of social 
> concern in
> > >J>  >>Santa Barbara and around the tri-county region.  Anyone can post an
> > >J>  >>eyewitness or investigative report, news analysis, or video or audio
> > >J>  >> clips
> > >J>  >>of events to the newswire.  The newswire is not edited for 
> content, but
> > >J>  >>SB-IMC will not tolerate messages of hate.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>SB-IMC is participating in a global experiment in free speech, in
> > >J>  >>transparent, open structure, unconstrained by the pressures of
> > >J>  >>advertising, corporations, or government.  We recognize that no
> > >reporter,
> > >J>  >>whether professional journalist or IMC contributor, speaks from 
> a place
> > >J>  >> of
> > >J>  >>objectivity, and that all news takes shape through a series of 
> choices
> > >J>  >>informed by the unique perceptions and biases of its reporter.  We
> > >J>  >>therefore encourage all SB-IMC contributors to strive for fairness,
> > >J>  >>breadth, and accuracy in their reporting, and to tap into their own
> > >J>  >>experiences as sources of wisdom and knowledge. We support 
> grassroots
> > >J>  >>reporting and will not be restricted by the standards of commercial
> > >news.
> > >J>  >>  We believe that people communicating in their own voices about the
> > >J>  >> issues
> > >J>  >>that matter to them is the first step to creating a truly democratic
> > >J>  >>society.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>The SB-IMC editorial group checks the newswire regularly for 
> stories to
> > >J>  >>feature on the website's main page.  Features may be edited for
> > >spelling,
> > >J>  >>format, and clarity.  We expect all contributions to the SB-IMC 
> newswire
> > >J>  >>to meet one or more of the following guidelines, and will assess
> > >possible
> > >J>  >>features according to them:
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>timely stories on local issues
> > >J>  >>stories with picture, video or audio
> > >J>  >>well-researched pieces
> > >J>  >>upcoming events
> > >J>  >>stories not yet reported in other media
> > >J>  >>stories offering opportunities for immediate response/action
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>Occasionally, the editorial group will hide certain posts.  (Hidden
> > >posts
> > >J>  >>can be viewed on this page [link].)  Posts meeting one or more 
> of the
> > >J>  >>following criteria may be hidden:
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>duplicates
> > >J>  >>spam
> > >J>  >>hardcore porn with no news or cultural value
> > >J>  >>details of illegal actions or plans
> > >J>  >>advertisements
> > >J>  >>slander or libel
> > >J>  >>unsigned articles
> > >J>  >>unreadable or corrupted material
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>To post to the SB-IMC newswire, please click here.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>f. Agree to the use of Open Publishing as described in the NIMC
> > >Editorial
> > >J>  >>Policy [editorial collective comments: "We did agree that the 
> term "Open
> > >J>  >>Publishing" was one that is still being defined by the Global 
> Network
> > >J>  >>Collective, and we would wait and see what the results were before
> > >J>  >> rewriting
> > >J>  >>this criteria],
> > >J>  >>         We definitely agree, as is hopefully shown by our editorial
> > >J>  >> policy.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>g. Adopt a decision-making policy that is in alignment with 
> consensus
> > >J>  >>principles which include open, transparent and egalitarian 
> processes,
> > >J>  >>         From the beginning, we have operated through formal 
> consensus
> > >J>  >> process.
> > >J>  >>We are working with other local activist groups to make sure 
> that open
> > >J>  >>consensus facilitation trainings occur on a semi-regular basis to
> > >J>  >>decentralize these skills within and among our organizations.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>h. Have a spokesperson(s) willing and capable of participating 
> in the
> > >J>  >>global decision-making process and meetings as a rotating
> > >J>  >>liaison/representative, with a clear understanding of the
> > >J>  >> responsibilities that come with this role,
> > >J>  >>         We have consensed on a global representative, Ginny Browne
> > >J>  >>(ginnybrowne at riseup.net).  Our tech representative is Bryan Brown
> > >J>  >>(bryan.brown at kcsb.org).  (As you will hopefully notice, no 
> relation. :)
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>i. Participate in the key IMC Network Communication Methods that 
> pertain
> > >J>  >> to
> > >J>  >>the health and vitality of the Network and that contribute to the
> > >work of
> > >J>  >>the IMC. Assure that at least one person from your local IMC
> > >participates
> > >J>  >>at any given time on the IMC-Communications list,
> > >J>  >>         Our global representative and others from the group will
> > >J>  >> participate on this list.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>j. (NOT FINALIZED): Have no official affiliation with any political
> > >J>  >> party,
> > >J>  >>state or candidate for office (comments: but individual 
> producers have
> > >J>  >>freedom to do whatever they like and local IMCs can "feature" 
> stories
> > >J>  >> about various political parties and initiatives),
> > >J>  >>         We have no such ties!
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>k. IMCs shall in no way engage in commercial for-profit 
> enterprises. [We
> > >J>  >>could add: The IMCN is committed to the decommercialization of
> > >J>  >> information
> > >J>  >>and will disassociate from any local IMC that decides to become 
> a for
> > >J>  >>profit media corporation.]
> > >J>  >>         We passionately agree.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>l. Display a ³local version² of the IMC ³i² logo on your website and
> > >J>  >>literature.
> > >J>  >>         The logo is already on our preliminary website design.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>m. Include the IMC Network current ³Cities List² on your site,
> > >preferably
> > >J>  >>on the front page.
> > >J>  >>         Absolutely.
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>We look forward to working with all of you!
> > >J>  >>
> > >J>  >>with thanks and solidarity,
> > >J>  >>Ginny Browne
> > >J>  >>SB-IMC-to-be
> > >
> > >J> Answers to some questions asked by Jay:
> > >
> > >J>  From Ginny:
> > >J> "Jay and new-IMCistas,
> > >
> > >J> Thanks for the words of encouragement!
> > >J> Some answers...
> > >
> > >J> -- What kind of contact have you had with already-existing IMCs in your
> > >J> region, especially the Los Angeles IMC?   (We've found that regional
> > >J> organizing is both important and a lot of fun.)
> > >
> > >J> *Oddly, we don't have contacts with LA IMC.  However, over the past few
> > >J> months, members of our group have met in person with folks from San 
> Diego
> > >J> IMC, NYC-IMC, Chappel Hill IMC, and Urbana-Champaign IMC.  We have kept
> > >J> regular correspondence with some of these people, and they were all
> > >J> fabulously helpful in offering guidance and tips about various IMC 
> issues.
> > >J> (UPDATE: The SB IMC group is sending people to an LA-IMC general
> > >meeting on
> > >J> November 22)
> > >
> > >J> -- do you have an e-mail list for discussions?  Not that an IMC has to
> > >J> discuss everything on-line, but having an open e-mail list helps assure
> > >J> people access if they can't physically make it to meetings.
> > >
> > >J> *We have a general list, a process list, an editorial list, a web list,
> > >J> and a youth list, all on riseup.net.
> > >
> > >J> -- In your editorial policy you say the IMC won't tolerate messages 
> of hate
> > >J> and also list a number of things that would cause a post to be 
> hidden.  Do
> > >J> have any sort of mechanism for how that would happen?  Meaning, if 
> a hate
> > >J> post comes onto the newswire, what's the process you're going to go 
> through
> > >J> to decide to hide it.  I don't think that's necessarily something 
> you have
> > >J> to spell out fully in your editiorial policy, but it's something 
> important
> > >J> to discuss.
> > >
> > >J> *Assuming by this question you mean what would be our process for 
> coming
> > >J> to consensus on what needs to be hidden (as opposed to the standard
> > >J> logistics of editorial decision making), I think, first of all, we all
> > >J> recognize there will be instances where we don't have immediate 
> agreement
> > >J> on hiding a post, and, in many of those cases, coming to consensus will
> > >J> not be simple. Throughout, we will use the our mission statement 
> and IMC
> > >J> principles of unity as guides for what is not acceptable.  (Please 
> say so
> > >J> if we haven't full answered your question!)  Are you suggesting we
> > >J> incorporate a larger discussion of this into the Ed policy itself?
> > >
> > >J> -- You mention you are in the process of doing outreach for racial
> > >J> diversity.  How is that going, and do you feel comfortable joining 
> the IMC
> > >J> network with that still being an active concern?
> > >
> > >J> We have begun to form relationships with folks in local 
> Raza/Chican@, and
> > >J> Asian organizations, some of whom are planning to come to our next 
> meeting
> > >J> and be the liasons for their orgs.  Certainly, it's a balance between
> > >J> recognizing lack of racial diversity as a problem that needs to be 
> dealt
> > >J> with immediately and making sure we do so through good process in 
> order to
> > >J> build trust over time. This is a central focus for our group right now,
> > >J> and we are confident in our process to be comfortable with joining 
> the IMC
> > >J> network at this point.
> > >
> > >J> -- (something we haven't been asking very often but something that 
> seems
> > >J> important) Do have any sort of conflict resolution system built 
> into your
> > >J> decision-making processes?
> > >
> > >J> Very important, yes, and no, we do not have a conflict resolution 
> system
> > >J> built in to our decision-making process.  This is definitely 
> something we
> > >J> will be tackling soon."
> > >
> > >--
> > >Mike
> > >mailto:micro.zen at verizon.net
> >
> >
> >
>
>_______________________________________________
>New-imc mailing list. Lista de correo New-imc
>New-imc at lists.indymedia.org
>http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/new-imc




More information about the New-imc mailing list