[New-imc] palestine indymedia - online meeting

[Petros Evdokas]

Shadi Fadda wrote:

 > Dear Petros,
 >
 >  Thanks a lot for your response. I do agree with you about its being
 > preferable to include as many of the comon goal groups as possible. On
 > the other hand I am not sure how much could I be of help, give my work
 > being individual, as opposed to PNN and IMEMC which have their full-time
 > and part-time people.
 >
 > I am not sure how much can be reached throughout the chat-room,
 > considering the number of people to join, in addition to number of
 > ideas/decisions it requires at minimum. Think about it?
 >
 > About sending my work, I ask you to.
-------  end of segment --------


Hello Shadi,

Thanks again for this contact.

Here's our letters posted with the new-imc work-group:
http://lists.indymedia.org/pipermail/new-imc/2006-March/0328-0d.html

I have a few more comments to your letter above.

Actually, your involvement, and that of other independent Palestinian
activist journalists makes this effort to regenerate imc-Palestine more
valid and viable than if it were only an effort of the two groups
mentioned above. I hope that the additional other Palestinian
independents will soon take on a more articulated presence in the dialogue.

One of IndyMedia's principles is that no imc local will be a monopoly.
So, even if one or two groups have a significant presence, it is the
participation of independents that makes it an indymedia group. The
indymedia "name", "logo", domain, etc. can not be franchised through
exclusive arrangements; on the contrary, we seek to spread it as widely
as possible within the progressive and radical community, so that the
community will own it collectively.

I'm not suggesting that the two groups PNN and IMEMC have any designs on
monopoly. Not at all. In fact, the few contacts I've seen among us so
far have been in a very respectful spirit and with a democratic
approach. I'm happy with that.

But the truth is, if it were only the two groups involved, then the
new-imc work-group would have no other option but to deny this
application in order to avoid the possibility of granting an indymedia
monopoly.

Additionally, the two groups employ salaried staff which is also a
problem in the orientation of this project. We are going to have to find
ways to expand the base and the context of this effort significantly to
ensure that there will be no employer/employee relationships embedded in
the new Palestine-imc organization, from the very beginning.

That was  one of the reasons that the same application (or query) last
year was opposed by some imc members. That rejection was based on the
IndyMedia Principles of Unity:
http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/PrinciplesOfUnity
We value the principle of  non-hierarchy/ egalitarian structure very
much, and it's something that  we would not compromise.

This time, instead of just opposing the fact (that the application
includes  groups that employ salaried staff), I hope we can find
creative solutions to  the obstacle. The presence and active
participation of independent Palestinian activist journalists is a key
component to the solution. Also, if groups which employ staff are
willing to discuss their structure, ownership status, decision- making
process with us, everything else can be solved as well.


I hope that soon we'll have an opportunity to explore these issues
together in a more functional dialogue and find solutions to all of the
various concerns, so that a Palestine-imc can function soon. I hope that
the imc listworks group will set up (or reactivate) the imc-Palestine
email list so that we can have this discussion in a clearer context, all
of us together.

I hope it's ok with you, I'll be sending a copy of this letter to all
of the recipients of the previous letter from George, just to keep the
dialogue transparent and shared oepnly with all who are concerned so
far. Please feel free to share it also, with any other prospective
colleagues who you think should see it.

A very useful document to look at for all who are interested in this
effort is titled "New Imc How To" at this link here, which details the
process of setting up a new imc group:
http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/NewImcHowTo

Many thanks.
Looking forward to more collaboration with all of you,
Petros
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