[Imc-uk-features] regional autonomy/hiding (was: Hidden 356155)

[Genny]

Hi Wietse & all

I'm watching this conversation with interest as it has a direct bearing on our plans to get an 
indymedia site for Wales.  I'm not at all sure that a site with a narrow activist focus will work 
here.  There are all sorts of people and groups, under- or un-represented in the mainstream media, 
doing stuff which is important to them and which they may like to report themselves on an 
independent media site.  I would like them to feel welcome to do so.  Small community actions ARE 
part of the bigger political picture and only by encouraging people to share these with one another 
does the bigger picture become clear.  Also, sharing news and ideas and being aware of what other 
people are doing brings opportunities to work together on issues of common interest - which can lead 
to people becoming activists in one way or another, maybe through involvement in a local indymedia 
group.

I can see why people don't want the uk newswire cluttered up with loads of small local things, but 
it will be a real loss imo if imc regions can't continue to publish these stories and offer a more 
inclusive form of indymedia.

Genny

WietsE wrote:
> phunkee at aktivix.org wrote:
>> sorry to hear about the apparent mixup with people hiding stuff on your newswire
>> because of the way we collectively moderate stuff, but it does beg the question
>> as to why they were hidden in the first place. 
>>
>> From what i can see, they don't really fit indymedia's editorial conditions at
>> all. I didn't hide them but i can't really blame the imcista that did because
>> they don't appear to have any political content apart from the second post that
>> promotes Critical Mass a little. It's all well and good promoting 'community
>> news' but if it's devoid of any bigger political picture or critique, then
>> what's it doing on any of our newswires?
> 
> So maybe the question remains as to whether regional collectives can 
> decide to run their sites or if they are still bound my UK Indymedia 
> guidelines and decisions. I am fighting the corner for Notts as I know 
> people here want to connect the 'political' and activisty issues with 
> wider community concerns and events. Having made this decision, meant 
> that a more  diverse group of people got online and involved with the 
> site. Not just activists or people interested in 'political
> issues'.
> 
> How about the numerous photo reports Tash and others have made about the 
> eco building currently being build in Nottingham:
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/06/343763.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/02/333761.html
> 
> Surely these clog up the servers. And what about all these 'non 
> political' community related events people have reported on in the past 
> on the Notts newswire:
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/10/353714.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/10/353738.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/10/352949.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/10/352970.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/10/352593.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348402.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348381.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348423.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348445.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348508.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348529.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/06/342186.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/04/338547.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/03/336116.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/02/332990.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/01/331089.html
> http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/12/329787.html
> 
> Should they all be hidden?
> 
> If we talk about giving people who are marginalized in the mainstream 
> media a voice than we should include way more groups and communities 
> than we currently do. Some of us try to make an effort to get stories 
> from different communities  heard. The Asian Mela, the Chinese New Year, 
> the Sikh Vaisakhi parade and the Nworz celebrations which marks the 
> start of the new year for Iranian, Afghan and Kurd community are just a 
> few examples of things this summer. Now how 'political' is it to try and 
> include these people? One could argue it is hardly 'political' and that 
> Indymedia isn't there to report on (religious) events like these. Well 
> they are part of the community we live in and to (unlike the mainstream) 
> give a representation of what really happens here, we are happy for this 
> to be on the site.
> 
> For me, this is the challenge that Indymedia faces. Unless the wider 
> Indymedia (especially in the UK) gets more involvement from a wider part 
> of society than we have failed to make it as open, accessible and broad 
> as we hopefully like it to be.
> 
> I have to say that I'm utterly disappointed by some peoples attitude 
> towards this issue and in some way I am less and less interested in 
> doing stuff for Indymedia as the project just seems to get stuck on its 
> non-ability to reach out to a wider and diverse audience.
> 
> Wietse
> 
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