[imc-baghdad] baghdad "imc"

[Jacquie Soohen]

I have actually followed the problems with the palestine-imc quite 
closely Petros, and I think there was definitely a feeling on the list 
of supporters as well that echoes your sentiments about "western" 
involvement in these new sites. However, I think there are very key 
differences with the baghdad project that hopefully with allow it to 
grow in the independent way i think it is developing. I think it worth 
reviewing them for ourselves as well as we look to the future. I have, 
as many others on the list have, expressed the need for direction to 
come from baghdad and with a few bumps and skips, I think we are doing 
a good job. While you try to share your experience I would ask that you 
not attempt to pull this collective into preexisting debates and also 
look at specific successes and mistakes, and all the efforts of our 
group, both the producers in baghdad, and the supporters abroad.

The group in baghdad, with the exception of ramsi who has access to 
equipment and internet, is all iraqi, and it was them, not outsiders 
who have proposed and realized this project. The newspaper is the 
project, not an "imc", and we have heard this from baghdad repeatedly. 
The website component was also specifically asked for from baghdad, not 
as -- at least at first --as a typical "imc" -- but as a way to publish 
the newspaper outside iraq. Similarly, it was the baghdad collective 
which decided to translate the paper in english and arabic.

The baghdad collective, through ramsi, has directed our efforts i would 
say for the most part, and i for one am happy to be 'used' for that 
purpose. they have asked for us to maintain and host the site and 
direct our other efforts into fundraising and distributing the 
information they publish. I think there are some very good examples of 
this relationship outside of the imc network that point to how 
indymedia resources can be used for more diverse and localized projects 
like i hope this one will be. The Chiapas Media Project for instance. 
which, through local direction, has turned a video-witnessing project 
into more of a public education project, making films for their 
community mostly.

I think we need to give credit where credit is due and not 
underestimate the amazing crew in baghdad who with so little resources, 
in one of the most difficult situations has produced an amazing paper 
and tapped into networks of support. I know the people there and they 
are truly amazing.
not being in iraq, we need to always be listening (despite the 
communications problems) and not get over zealous, but in truth i think 
as supporters we too are also doing a good job. I think Petros, you are 
underestimating the people in baghdad and pulling them into a 
preexisting debate they are not part of.

> I fear that now this problem is being reproduced in the
> case of imc-Baghdad. There is a lot of interest to
> generate (and to spend) funds, and to create accees to
> (mostly irrelevant) technology, alongside with a
> fantastic reluctance to talk politics among the
> European and American imc- colleagues who are involved
> in that project. And we still have not heard a single
> word from any Iraqi voices on the politics of that
> project.

There are very specific communications difficulties in contacting 
people in baghdad. Internet access being the main obstacle. Nonetheless 
I think Ramsi has done an excellent job at passing on the messages from 
the group. The proposal was written by the iraqis, the website was 
pushed for by the iraqis, etc etc.
I hope too that as access permits we get get more reports and direction 
from the group in baghdad. I will certainly try to pass on all 
questions and concerns from the list to the group and volunteer to 
carry messages and proposals out, by hand if necessary.

> The project does not even take a solid stance
> against the US/UK invasion and occupation of Iraq!

If you read the proposal from the baghdad collective they have decided 
not to but instead want to be a more open space for opinions and 
writing.
>
> I'm including a copy of this letter to 2 imc groups in
> our Middle East region which include individuals who
> are active on the Palestine issues locally (and to
> imc-baghdad).
> And I'm also re-printing below a plea for techical help
> from Bilal, which seems to have been ignored for quite
> a while.

Creating links between the various middle eastern independent media, 
not just indymedia, seems an excellent idea.

One of the most exciting aspects of this project for me has been the 
way in which it has, due to the people in baghdad most of all, and 
because of the circumstances, developed unlike other imc's. in fact, 
there is a desire to be part of the imc network and share resources 
with it, but not to even be an "imc" right now. imagining how the imc 
network can expand to fill local needs in various ways and still be an 
integral part of the network is, to me, very important to the whole 
network, and goes back to the idea that the indymedia network began 
with, not to be a collection of syndicated Independent Media Centers, 
but a collective of collectives, working in different ways, in 
different mediums, as they see fit. What I'm hearing from you Petros, 
is that the internet based 'IMC' model cannot be mapped onto any 
location. In this, I think the baghdad collective and the collective of 
supporters, many of whom are bringing very different and valuable 
experience from peace work, ngos, etc and have no "indymedia" history, 
are doing a very good job, and i have every faith we can continue to do 
so learning as well from the experience of other imcs.

jacquie