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

[deano]

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Hello Indys,

London indymedia could be a good example of how to address some of
these common criticisms - it now has a 'group' function whereby local
collectives who have always made good use of the site have their own
page with all their postings and information. Each group can login and
admin their page. This seems to encourage more participation and
generates more interesting use of the site while potentially also
fostering closer relationships with said collectives/groups.
London also covers and promotes events (radical music, film, talks,
art), not just activist news.

Reviews could be good, especially of local events. I'm looking to get
involved and I'd be up for attempting reviews. Does Indymedia Scotland
put on film screenings? I've organised indymedia film screenings and
small film festivals before, I'd def be up for free film fest entry!
When's your next meet-up?

My tuppence-ha'penny-worth,

Deano (Edinburgh, ex-London)



Ulla wrote:
> 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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