[Boston-editorial] Rapoport, Re: what should we do about this?

Fri Mar 11 15:54:23 PST 2005

THIS IS PETE

There was once a time when I spoke the very words you
are speaking Sofia.  John, I think too, said something
to this effect once if I am not mistaken.  But both
times there was considerable backlash to the idea and
for what I have come to see as good reasons.

A number 1 being many people would not post if there
was a prejudice against folks who dont use names. 
Many anarchists and others fear prosecution for their
beliefs, not only by the cops or cointelpro type
operations but in much simpler ways.  Like losing
their jobs because of their political beliefs. 
Fundamentally, citizen reporting is different than
professional journalism.  A journalist's job is
protected by free speech.  But a citizen journalists
job is fair game.  

I think the reasoning behind the idea is good though,
if I have it right.  Namely the idea that we should
have a stronger ethical code that would increase our
credibility. 

THe complaint, I think, is that people don't think
were credible.  If we were, we would have more
influence.  

I think we need to deal with this problem in other
ways, that involve some hard work.  Here are my ideas:

1. reporter's workshops that teach ethics along with
writing, etc

2. a code of ethics somewhere on the website,
preferably to be seen before/during the posting of an
article.

3. Editing/Factchecking on articles that go to center
column, including a fair amount of feedback, advice,
etc., directly to the author.

Any takers?

-Pete

--- Sofia JarrinT <sofiajt at yahoo.com> wrote:

> hi there,
> My humble opinion... We could include this as
> editorial policy on the manual. Something like:
> 
> "All centered articles require the full name of the
> author as a conscientious effort to practice fair
> and
> accurate reporting." (not sure if I like the word
> fair... I definitely don't like the word balanced)
> 
> "BIM does not delete articles per request and will
> remain archived. Any such deletions are
> responsibility
> of its own author(s)."
> 
> And whatever else language we need in order to give
> ourselves the right to delete anything that goes
> against our mission.
> 
> It would be nice to have the editorial policy (if it
> isn't already so, sorry!) right on our web page.
> 
> cheers,
> Sofia
> 
> 
> --- John Grebe <indymedia at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> > Hi:  notice I prefer my comments not posted to the
> > Discuss list. This is Editorial.
> > 
> > Fascinating. The IMC is not obligated to remove a
> > thing. This individual apparently 
> > posted all his articles of his own choice and
> > volition and had every opportunity to 
> > understand that the articles on the web site would
> > remain there. 
> > 
> > Were any of Rapoport's pieces ever put into the
> > center column?
> > 
> > Did the same individual post all the pieces under
> > this name "Jonathan Dale 
> > Rapoport"? Is there a schizophrenic person
> involved
> > here?
> > 
> > Why is "Rapoport's" alleged journalism filled with
> > "?" question marks sprinkled 
> > throughout the articles, as though he hasn't
> > bothered to check facts before publishing 
> > them?
> > 
> > Notice his writings refer to Israel, the ADL,
> > Vanunu.
> > 
> > Notice the following at
> >
>
http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display_any/17237
> > 
> > THIS ARTICLE IS THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF
> WRITER
> > JONATHAN 
> > DALE RAPOPORT, A WRITER BASED IN THE EUROPEAN
> UNION
> > MEMBER 
> > STATE OF THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN.
> > STERLING LORD LITERISTIC REPRESENTS JONATHAN DALE
> > RAPOPORT 
> > IN NEW YORK CITY.
> > 
> > IT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED TO COPY, REDESTRIBUTE,
> > PUBLISH OR 
> > PLAGARIZE THIS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.
> > 
> > ANY INDIVIDUAL, GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS OR
> ORGANIZATION
> > WHO 
> > ENGAGES IN THE AFFORMENTIONED CRIMES WITH THIS 
> > INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY WILL BE INVESTIGATED BY
> > PALLORIUM 
> > INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES IN NEW YORK CITY.
> > 
> > http://www.pallorium.com/
> > 
> > UPON COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION THE OFFENDING
> > PARTY OR 
> > PARTIES WILL BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
> OF
> > THE LAW 
> > AND SUBJECTED TO CIVIL LITIGATION.
> > 
> > DURING CIVIL LITIGATION NO OUT OF COURT SETTLEMENT
> > OFFERS 
> > WILL BE ACCEPTED.
> > 
> > Questions:  How might the ADL be involved? Legal
> > threats? Could someone's 
> > request be a mandated attempt under threat of
> legal
> > action that they don't even want 
> > to obey?
> > 
> > Don't be scared by any of this bullshit. Follow
> the
> > policies of Boston IMC. Let the 
> > chips fall where they may. If legal action
> results,
> > we could request help from the 
> > NLG.
> > 
> > My recommendation:  do away with the bullshit
> > anonymity that Boston IMC allows 
> > for frightened (and less than reasonable) people
> to
> > hide behind. Demand a real name 
> > be put on the line. Plenty of us do that to stake
> > our own credibility on the importance 
> > of independent media. Anyone who's not ready for
> > that has the freedom of speech to 
> > start their own blog. If Boston IMC doesn't move
> to
> > require authors' names back up 
> > their claims, then we can expect more and more of
> > this "hall of mirrors" type of 
> > distraction from genuine radical journalism work.
> If
> > IMC's are not devoted to 
> > authentic radical journalism, then they have no
> > value at all. Let it begin with the 
> > Boston IMC.
> > 
> > Kind regards
> > John
> > 
> > Boston IMC <imc-boston-office at indymedia.org> wrote
> > on 8 Mar 2005 at 17:46:
> > Subject: [IMC-Boston-Discuss] what should we do
> > about this
> > 
> > > Hey,
> > > 
> > > weird thing.  this guy wants all his articles
> > removed,
> > > says we can verify that its him just by calling
> > him. 
> > > but that doesnt verify anything does it?  maybe
> > this
> > > deal he set up does.  hmm
> > > 
> > > anyway, 
> > > 
> > > do we remove articles?  or are they needed for
> > > archiving.  it's an interesting question.  I
> don't
> > > think the new york times ever would, or any
> other
> > > media org.  
> > > 
> > > I weigh in on the side of, no we don't.  unless
> > there
> > > is some extremely compelling reason.  like I
> will
> > be
> > > arrested and thrown in jail.  or something to
> that
> > > effect.  I will email him for his reasons.
> > > 
> > > -Pete
> > > 
> > > --- Jonathan Rapoport <jrapoport at hotmail.com>
> > wrote:
> > > > From: "Jonathan Rapoport"
> > <jrapoport at hotmail.com>
> > > > To: imc-boston-office at indymedia.org
> > > > Subject: Request for Removal of My Published
> > > > Articles
> > > > Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 15:23:01 +0100
> > > > 
> > > > Dear Sir or Madame:
> > > > 
> > > > Please remove all articles and comments
> > published by
> > > > me on your online 
> > > > publication.
> > > > 
> > > > I request that they be permanently removed and
> > not
> > > > merely hidden.
> > > > 
> > > > If you need to verify that is in fact me,
> > Jonathan
> > > > Rapoport, requesting 
> > > > their removal, you may telephone me on my
> > telephone
> > > > exchange, provisioned to 
> > > > me by SBC Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
> > > > 
> > > > You can verify that this is in fact a
> telephone
> > > > exchange provisioned to me 
> > > > through any directory assistance service or
> any
> > > > number of online reverse 
> > > > phone directories.
> > > > 
> > > > That telephone number is:
> > > > 
> > > > 510-549-9114
> > > > 
> > > > The articles can be found at:
> > > > 
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
http://boston.indymedia.org/mod/search/dosearch/index.php?dosearch=1&medium=text&searchtext=&author=Jonathan+Dale+Rapoport&form_section=&lang=en_US&month_start=&day_start=&year_start=&month_end=02&day_end=19&year_end=2005&submit=Search
> > > > 
> > > > Thank you for your time and consideration with
> > this
> > > > matter.
> > > > 
> > > > Sincerely,
> > > > Jonathan Dale Rapoport
> > > > 
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
_________________________________________________________________
> > > > FREE pop-up blocking with the new MSN Toolbar
> -
> > get
> > > > it now! 
> > > >
> > >
> >
>
http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200415ave/direct/01/
> > > > 
> > > > 
> > > 
> > > ----
> > > Boston Independent Media Center
> > > PO Box 441414
> > > Somerville MA 02144
> > > 617-623-8462 
> > > 
> > > http://boston.indymedia.org
> > > imc-boston-office at indymedia.org
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Boston-editorial mailing list
> > 
> === message truncated ===
> 
> 
> "Truly, there is no future without forgiveness."
> Desmond Tutu
> 
> "Non-violence is not inaction. It is not discussion.
> It is not for the timid or weak...Non-violence is
> hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is
> the patience to win." Cesar Chavez
> 
> 
> 		
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----
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PO Box 441414
Somerville MA 02144
617-623-8462 

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