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

[jon at noflag.org.uk]

deano wrote:
> 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.

Yeah, london is good. We have been testing the organic groups module for
indymedia scotland, for the same reasons that london has implemented one
it seems.

> London also covers and promotes events (radical music, film, talks,
> art), not just activist news.

We are definitely moving in that direction, away from "activist news" -
We are also moving away from being the voice of the anarchist
subculture, by covering stuff that people who arnt in our scene are
interested in. We rarely get any cultural stuff tho.

> 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!

Go for it with the reviews mate, sounds good, and if you want to put on
film screenings that would be good too.

> When's your next meet-up?

We dont have many meetings these days - people are pretty spread out and
have time constraints - we do organise stuff on this list, and on the
indymedia forums. Its certainly less than ideal, but is working
adequately just now.

Some of us have been considering setting up a more formal 'journalists
collective' to keep on top of things: following stuff in the popular
consciousness, working out who goes to what event to report on it, and
to do proof reading, and support one another to improve quality. I think
this would be the ideal situation.

Are you going to the climate camp stuff this weekend? i will be, so
maybe ill see you there. (im even doing a workshop on "class and
environmentalism", on sat morning!)

Jon