[New-imc] Fwd: Jakarta IndyMedia - Seeking Clarification and Advice

[s|a|m]

Hello,

I had a chat with some of the people at jakarta-indy - and they operate very 
much like the way Melbourne Indy collective operates. They are open and make 
decisions in the right fashion :)

I mentioned that new-imc list would probably require them to write this down  -
ie. the way they work - and post it to the list. As for the imc-list - much 
discussion happens in physical space - not electronic space. So, I guess the 
listserv as a discussion space is not a priority. Of course - a e contact on 
the webiste would be useful.

What jakarta-indy seek most is listing on the sidebar, and a subdomaining off 
indymedia.org - though they are considering registering a .id domain - but its 
a shame if their motivation is because its too hard to get a subdomain off .org

> > It's a shame we can't regionalise this process!! 
> 
> Well, i think melbourne started up before the new-imc process &
> working group, and it's going fine (AFAIK), so if you folks and the
> sydney/adelaide/aotearoa/brisbane/madurai groups could create a
> regionalised working group, with an archived, public, open-posting
> mailing list, and convince others that you had an effective process, i
> don't see new-imc stopping you.

There seems to be a movement towards a regionalised group. At the media 
activism gathering in Adelaide - a regional Indy meeting was had - with Sydney, 
Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Aotearoa being represented. Another gathering 
will occur in October I believe. 

I really think it makes sense to support each other regionally and if a 
city/town in a region wants an IMC that support is obtained regionally.

The main thing this regional group would need to do is update the sidebar and 
also create subdomains off the main domain. I have CC'd this to Nik 
(fragments at va.com.au) who is involved in this regional group - which I 
understand already has a list operating - imc-australasia at lists

My suggestion is that there is a process for regional decision-making and 
acceptance of new regionally located Indy sites - based on regional needs. 
These can be set up locally - ie. on one of the servers in the region (cat, 
octapod...) or maybe a request can be made to the US. But the decision-making 
should be done regionally.

Also, I would suggest that 'vouching' be used. Rather than getting a group to 
make a proposal and do a lot of paper pushing, if someone from an existing Indy 
collective goes to that group and can see that there is a real desire to have a 
Indy site - that should be adequate. 

I am not too sure where to go with this - except to say that it would be really 
fantastic to accept jakarta.indy in to the indy network. At the moment, 
independent media makers are fairly restricted. There are many community radio 
stations that operates illegally, and the government has 30 year jail sentences 
for these operators. Currently, there is debate in parliament whether licences 
should be allocated to community radio - but there is resistance from the 
government who fear further 'disintegration' of indonesia.

Meggy and the others around are really trying to foster the idea of free media -
 and they see jakarta.indymedia as playing an important role... But with it 
having a .au suffix and not being on the sidebar makes things a bit difficult. 
And it was their idea - they made the initial proposal many months ago. It 
wasn't like someone from Melbourne is encouraging them to set up an Indy site! 
I think their initiative should be supported!!!

Hokay - leave it at that for now. I am hoping that others at imc-australasia 
takes up this discussion especially about regional decision-making in terms of 
new-indy websites.

See ya, Sam :)