[IMC-Boston-Editorial] Editorial policy dilemma, attn sally shears

[Pete Stidman]

Just wanted to be sure sally read this too...

no finger pointing, I just think in retrospect there
was a better way to deal with this one. 

I got this email today that brought it to light:

_____
Hey man. Just noticed than article that was on b.imc
got taken down for
policy violation. I know the person who wrote it, and
can vouch for its
authenticity.

http://boston.indymedia.org/newswire/display/43959/index.php

It was an article on Boston Mobolization and how they
are using 
corporate
SPAM companies to get private data on other activists
in the area. 
Seeing
as b.imc is dealing with questions of data privacy, it
seems like an
incredibely relevant discussion. I'm confused as to
why 'sally shearer'
deleted it, especially seeing as its far more relevant
than any number 
of
other articles (for example some guys pictures of his
halloween party 
in
salem).

I'm not really sure what your involvment with B.imc is
right now, but I
figured you'd know who to ask. Hope you are doing
well. Dan
-----

So I looked at that link and saw this note in the
reason why part:
______
disruptive, not news. after contacting Boston
Mobilization in regards to this article this post has
been hidden as a "disruptive" post. while this is an
interesting topic that may have merit as a news
article, both the focus and the tone of this
particular piece, as well as the "comments" to this
article suggest that this was a deliberately
disruptive post and is not being treated as news. if
readers are interested in posting a complete
investigative report about Boston Mobolization, we
would appreciate hosting it on our site, this post,
however, meets our "disruptive" criteria and will be
hidden. if readers have concerns or questions about
Boston Mobilization and their policies please feel
free to contact them at their new office at: 30 Bow
Street, Cambridge, MA, 02138, 617-492-8899
_______

I agree that the post was biased heavily, and even
that it was good to look into it.  But I have an
alternate solution: Investigate.  

I called Bosotn Mobe and Eve said that someone IMC had
called to ask if they had posted the article, Eve said
no, the person said that she would then take the
article down.  

THEN, I asked eve if she did use the email program in
question, she said Yes and toldme about how it works
and why she uses it.  

So instead of appearing like censors, I think it would
be better to give a lesson to all involved by posting
her response to the allegations within the article.
I'm going to complete this later tonightso y'all can
see what I'm talking about. 

EWssentially Eve's comments diffuse the situation and
the accusers accusations lose steam, so in the end, we
have made bth parties happy instead of stepping in on
Boston Mobe's side.

Whenever we can solve a beef with a little two-minute
phone call I suggest we make that extra effort and do
it.  

Although, I realize this may not have come to mind for
someone new to indymedia or journalism like we all
are.  

We learn together...

-Pete



		
__________________________________ 
Yahoo! FareChase: Search multiple travel sites in one click.
http://farechase.yahoo.com