[Imc-communication] FEATURE PROPOSAL : Word from Lebanon / proposal posted at 18:30 Pacific Coast Time

[Peter van Heusden]

Petros

Out of those 150 organizations (and this is an arguable figure anyway),
only a handful of volunteers make up the www-features group. Anyone who
wants to within any IMC can volunteer to help out www-features.

So, why not suggest that you or someone else from your region becomes a
www-features volunteer? Then features from the region can be posted on
www.indy according to the normal www-features process (6 hour wait, etc
etc). That's what I did to try and ensure that features from my area get
posted more often. Have a look at the www-features archive - see how
many features get comments on, and how many simply get posted. To be
frank, its a large number that are simply posted by the same volunteer
who suggested them.

If you need training on how the publishing system for www.indy works,
that can easily be arranged.

Looking forward to more global features!
Peter
IMC South Africa - Cape Town collective

Petros Evdokas wrote:
> CC: imc-communication, Asher, Boud, imc-beirut
>
>
> From: Asher ashergoldman at gmail.com
> Sat Jul 15
> [Imc-communication] word from Lebanon / slaughter of the innocents continues
>
>
> Hi all,
>
> Just wanted to agree with Petros' sentiments here - I think it's vital that
> we keep people informed via Global features, with the local IMC's inactive.
> I wrote the Gaza feature on July 6 (
> http://www.indymedia.org/en/2006/07/842035.shtml) and am happy to keep
> writing more as well, as the situation progresses. Is there someone on this
> list from IMC-Israel? If anyone there wanted to step up and help get the
> info out, that would be fantastic too.
>
> Love & Rage
> Asher
> Aotearoa Indymedia / Climate IMC
>
> -----------------
>
> Thank you Asher, your response is much appreciated.
> Friends,
>
> I must tell you that I'm a little shocked with the following realizations:
>
> It's almost two hours now since the deadline passed for disagreements,
> commentary, or feedback on a FEATURE PROPOSAL titled "Word from Lebanon"
>   that was submitted to our global imc editorial group about the Lebanon
> and Gaza situations.
>
> The proposal is here:
> http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/www-features/2006-July/0716-dw.html
>
> In the time since the Proposal was submitted:
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members or liaisons
> from our many members who have seen the proposal (our network consists
> of more than 150 organizations) voiced interest;
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members voiced an offer
> to help with posting the article to the site;
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members expressed a
> question;
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members expressed a
> disagreement on the basis of political, editorial, organizational concerns;
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members objected or
> blocked the Proposal;
> - not a single one of our global editorial group members responded.
>
> So, the Proposal is "formally" passed and official now, but what is the
> meaning of this juncture among us?
>
> I am aware that the Lebanon and Gaza situation is buzzing in the ears
> and mouths and keyboards of every progressive and radical on the planet
> right now, and also of every independent journalist, even every
> establishment jouranalist and politician. All of our local imc groups
> are very concerned as well, some actively reporting, some involved in
> solidarity protests, humanitarian aid campaigns, etc.
>
> But our global instrument of expression is beyond silent: it seems
> unresponsive, numb.
>
> There are demonstrations breaking out all over the planet about the
> events in Palestine and Lebanon. Even within the United States, the
> Belly of the Beast itself, the major progressive and radical Coalition
> which had spearheaded the anti-war protests of the last few years on a
> national scale is calling for an emergency protest for August 12, noon,
> at the White House. The initiative is coming from the A.N.S.W.E.R.
> Coalition, the National Council of Arab Americans (NCA), and the Muslim
> American Society Freedom Foundation.
>
> Our own organization at the global level, though, is silent.
>
> I'm also aware that weekends are the periods when most volunteers find
> the time to participate on email groups and so Fridays, Saturdays,
> Sundays tend to be more active for imc email lists. But on our global
> editorial work group list, at the peak of the weekend, nothing.
>
> If this is not the epitome of a non-participation crisis, I don't know
> what is.
>
> There is no other explanation. It seems to be the same fate that has
> befallen most of our other imc global collective entities. Dysfunction
> through non-participation. Not because of disagreement, not because of
> conflict, not even from "too much happening chaotically all at the same
> time", but from exactly the opposite. Non-participation is the illness
> that speaks loudest through silence. That is what we have, it seems.
>
> So our problem is at least a double one right now:
>
> 1. How do we get this Feature article published in the central column,
> since none of our colleagues who have access to the machinery responded?
>
> 2. How do we face the grand existential and organizational problems of
> indymedia at the global level if very few (almost none at all) of our
> people want to face or admit their existence?
>
> I would like to help solve both of these problems, and I would
> appreciate it if someone among us has suggestions on what I can do to
> help contribute to solutions.
>
>
> In the meantime, Lebanon and Palestine are having the liver plucked out
> of them and chewed by the Beast on a daily basis. Shall I just write to
> our comrades there and tell them we don't care - we can't be bothered to
> even push a few buttons to publish?
>
> As a long term IndyMedia member I'm experiencing an embarrassment about
> this that is very hard to swallow.
>
> I try. It sticks in my throat.
> Petros
> ________
>
>
>
>
>
>
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