[imc-scotland-discussion] "Why Indymedia Sucks"

[Ulla]

Hi,

most of the criticisms are justified and have been identified for a long time. 
The problem is that with the current resources it is not really possible to 
add in-depth, investigative reporting, as simply most volunteers don't have 
the time to do it - also in Indy UK articles drop down too quickly for it to 
be worth. 

If I write a well researched article, or just translate one, it takes me a day 
or 2-3 and hardly anybody has got the time to continuously invest these 
amounts of time in a week in order to keep Indymedia reporting a high 
standard, you would need several people to invest that amount of time and 
currently that's pretty impossible.

The focus on actions works well, if theory is included it often becomes divise 
on ideological grounds, like members of the socialist party supporting 
different theory than anarchists, non--violent protesters vs. more militant 
activists, anarchists vs. marxist and so on. Or like the anti-farming alliance 
or similar. Discussions also become much more heated and divisive, even 
splitting the audience more.

I personally like reading news on indymedia I can not get anywhere else. 
Lately these type of news has decreased because of time constraints and the 
activist scene in Scotland being so small, but I would editorial wise ditch 
the reporting of MP's expenses for a good report on what's happened at a 
noborder meeting or at the Scottish climate camp anytime.

I also did some film reviews and even was able to go to the Edinburgh film 
festival for free for Indymedia; can't do it this year but would certainly 
recommend it - they always have got 3-8 films which are relevant to our 
politics and brandnew as haven't been shown before so its worth going. The 
EIFF director is also very sympathetic to Indymedia, so if you want to you 
could get a press pass of her - though I do think it would be good if there 
would be less than 7 people going from indymedia as it would be pushing the 
luck 1-2 is common and 3-4 I guess still acceptable as other bigger 
organisations like TV networks come with 3-4 people.

If somebody has the time, try out the environmental slot at this years EIFF:
http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/news/2009/06/big-issues-on-the-big-screen

and there are always some great international films and docs on show.

I am working this year pretty much, so possibly can not do it, but if nobody 
else wants to, the press pass still entitles people to use the videotheque and 
watch the films during the evenings. 

Also sometimes AK gets you new books to review for free, if they know you well 
enough.

I certainly would appreciate a bit more reviews, but they also have to be 
based on factual information.

cheerio Ulla




On Monday 08 Jun 2009 17:40:51 jon at noflag.org.uk wrote:
> chris wrote:
> > Postively, I reckon IMC Scotland scores OK on this part
> > What do others think?
>
> Yeah, i agree with all of that really. I think we mostly already offer
> the changes that they recommend, (with obvious room for improvement
> tho!) apart from maybe the suggestion of having non-political stuff.
>
> Would people be interested in doing film/music/book reviews?
>
> I think we do still lack news that appeals to local and national
> mainstream issues - like MP's expenses scandals, etc. - even just
> radical "re-writes" of issues in the papers.
>
> Jon
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