[Imc-baghdad] imc iraq support

[Spike]

Hi All,

Thanks for setting this list in process - should be usefull to co-ordinate 
various people wanting to help in their own ways.

I am keen to help anyone in iraq wanting to produce independent media and I 
appreciate this must be a difficult time for everyone.

From my own experience, the Bristol imc site was set up with assistance from 
experienced indymedia volunteers in London from the UK group.  I know there 
is a lot of support here in bristol for an iraq group, particularly given jo 
Wilding's experiences and talks here in Bristol.

In my experience the setting up of an imc through the indymedia network 
involves a number of set stages and can be slow, but does not in theory have 
to be slow.

The main step being to define an editorial policy and officially request the 
new site through the public imc new-lists process, which allows 1 week for 
objections to any proposals.

Also, in the case of iraq, there are some serious potential pitfalls and 
issues, but let's not be put off from acting because of this!

I have read some ideas about fundraising and that is great, but in my 
experience the Bristol site was set up and has existed for 1 / 2 years now 
with no money. $$$000.

We do have limited resources here in bristol which we are happy to make 
available.  My own input to the bristol site has been mainly technical, and 
is likely to remain so with the iraq project.

Obviously we must not enforce any site on people in iraq - I hope my initial 
site is not percieved in this way.  In particular the editorial policy could 
be difficult and should be left for any new group to form this policy for 
themselves.