[IMC-US] *PENDING* Proposal for US-IMC -- Version 2.0 [DECISION DEADLINE July 1, 2003]

[faith swords]

july 1st sounds good to me. the proposal looks great.

-- faith

On Thu, 19 Jun 2003, Sascha Meinrath wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Thanks to Max for getting this started and to the folks who've given
> feedback thus far (both on- and off-list).  I've cleaned up the language a
> bit and incorporated feedback that we've received thus far -- please keep
> it coming.  Also, I'd like to set a 2-week discussion-deadline before we
> send this along to the IMC-US-Process list.  This would put our deadline
> at July 1, 2003 -- does this work for folks?
>
> --Sascha
>
> ***********************
> *** US-IMC PROPOSAL ***
> ***********************
>
> WHY A US-IMC?
>
> The Indymedia network, now approaching its forth anniversary, started in
> the United States and expanded outwards.  IMCs exist on all continents and
> utilize many languages; however, while many country-specific IMCs exist,
> currently no IMC focuses on the United States as a whole.  There are
> several reasons for such an IMC to exist.
>
> A less US-Centric Global Site:  A US-IMC would reduce domination of the
> global indymedia site by US-specific issues.  While it may not be apparent
> to many IMC-istas in the US, US stories have been overrepresented on the
> global Indymedia site. Having a US site would allow the global site to
> have a more balanced and diverse distribution of articles -- helping to
> alleviate the alienation experienced by some non-US viewers.
> Additionally, a US-IMC would help encourage the creation of a
> multi-lingual global site by creating a venue for many English language
> posts that otherwise end up on the global site.
>
> The US-IMC:  Although the content of the global site is disproportionately
> English language and US-centric, because of space limitations, many
> important articles are passed up.  A US-IMC would be the appropriate place
> for these types of articles (e.g., important stories regarding US politics
> and domestic issues).  Furthermore, a US-IMC would strengthen and solidify
> the Indymedia network in the US.  Currently, many US IMCs exist in
> relative isolation from one another -- the only common news dissemination
> point being the global site.  A US-IMC would link these IMCs in a national
> network that could potentially become a "legitimate" and sustainable rival
> to the mainstream corporate media.
>
> A US-IMC is also an effective way to collectivize our struggles and draw
> national and international attention to the strong independent media
> movement in this troubled country.  It will help make each of our local
> IMC's stronger by drawing traffic to our local sites whenever a story of
> national significance happens in an IMC's home town or state. Plus it will
> create a new canvas that we can collaborate on together outside our local
> sites. Who knows what new projects could rise out of this?
>
> The suggested format for the US site is a syndicated newswire of US-
> features, much like the global site syndicates features from IMCs around
> the world.  The features column could include stories published by US
> IMCs, articles with information compiled from various US IMCs, and
> original pieces written exclusively for the US-IMC.
>
> ORGANIZATION -- three core working groups have been discussed:
>
> OUTREACH:  This group would be responsible for contacting and inviting all
> US-IMCs to be involved in the process of creating the US-IMC.
> Additionally, the outreach group would contact other independent media
> organizations (especially those in areas where there are no IMCs) to
> spread the word about the US-IMC.
>
> EDITORIAL:  The editorial group will be responsible for newswire
> maintenance (if an open newswire is part of the site) and feature
> writing/compiling/editing.
>
> TECH: The tech group will be responsible for maintaining the tech aspects
> of the site, from installing a codebase to fixing bugs as well as general
> maintenance.
>
> These groups will be composed of IMC members from across the US.
>
> It should also be noted that specifics of the editorial group are linked to
> what code we decide to use for the site.  For example, the global site uses
> a code that requires email discussion and approval of features, while sites
> that use dadaIMC code vote on features through the website.
>
> Note about the term US-IMC.  Some folks at the meeting at the Allied Media
> Conference expressed concerns with the fact that having a US-IMC
> legitimizes or condones the US as an imperialistic superpower that exists
> because its founders displaced the indigenous peoples that lived here.
> Others recognized this and thought that regardless of our opinions of the
> US, it exists, and we live in it, and by calling it the US-IMC, we are
> taking a step towards reclaiming this country for the people that live in
> it.  Others suggested alternative names, such as
> peopleoftheus.indymedia.org.  Most agreed that us.indymedia.org is better
> than usa.indymedia.org as it sounds less like a chant at a pro-war rally
> and it is also "us" in addition to "U.S."
>
> ***
>
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