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<font size=3>below is a draft of a document to create a set of principles
governing the entire IMC network. our feedback as a part of the IMC
network is requested. please read and come to the UCIMC steering
group meetings to add your perspective (if you can not make it to these
meetings, you can e-mail me with your concerns).<br>
<br>
--sascha<br>
<br>
<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>To All Local IMC's:<br>
<br>
The following document is a draft of the Principles of Unity for the
entire IMC network. This document was based on principles culled
from 18 months of at large interaction on the IMC Process list
serve. Those principles were discussed and debated among
approximately 70 IMC members from around the world at the Press Freedom
Conference in San Francisco on April 27-29, 2000. A working group
was formed to present the draft document to all of the local IMC's for
feedback.<br>
<br>
Although this post is in English, the document has been sent to
translations and other languages will be posted as soon as they are
available. If you have a specific language request, please let us
know.<br>
<br>
We are hoping to reach network-wide consensus on this document by
mid-July. <br>
In order to do that, we ask that one spokesperson from each local IMC
facilitate this effort by presenting this document to their group,
gathering feedback and reporting that feedback to us (e.g. one spokes
from IMC Boston sends one email to the Unity list with concerns,
objections or suggestions raised by that local). PLEASE SEND ALL
CONCERNS, OBJECTIONS OR SUGGESTIONS TO IMC-UNITY@INVITRO.CAT.ORG.AU BY
JUNE 15, 2000.<br>
<br>
After June 15, the working group will spend two weeks incorporating the
local feedback and will repost the document on June 30, 2000. Final
comments from local IMC's should be sent to the above address by July
15. <br>
Spokespersons from all IMC's will meet via IRC (and telephone when
necessary) for final consensus within the week following (exact date to
be announced). The results of that meeting will be posted by the
Unity working group by July 25.<br>
<br>
This document is a work in progress and an attempt to state the basic
principles for which we all stand. As such, please take time in
your local meeting to read, debate and discuss it. All bracketed
items are part of the priciples of unity but have been specifically
identified as in need of further definition, clarification and
"wordsmithing."<br>
<br>
Please feel free to contact the working group with any questions.
We welcome and look forward to your input.<br>
<br>
Best regards,<br>
Cayce Callaway<br>
IMC-Unity Working Group<br>
<br>
Principles of Unity<br>
<br>
1. The Independent Media Center Network1 (IMCN) is based upon principles
of equality, decentralization and local autonomy. The IMCN is not derived
from a centralized bureaucratic process, but from the self-organization
of autonomous collectives that recognize the importance in developing a
union of networks.<br>
<br>
2. All IMC's consider open exchange of 2 and open access to information a
prerequisite to the building of a more free and just society.<br>
<br>
[3. All IMC's respect the right of activists who choose not to be
photographed or filmed.] 3<br>
<br>
4. All IMC's, based upon the trust of their contributors and readers,
shall utilize open web based 4 publishing, allowing individuals, groups
and organizations to express their views, anonymously if desired.
5**see appendix: Open Publishing document (still in proposal phase, at
this address:
http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-communication/2001-April/001707.html)<br>
<br>
5. The IMC Network and all local IMC collectives shall be not-for-profit.
6<br>
<br>
6. All IMC's recognize the importance of process to social change and are
committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian
relationships 7, from interpersonal relationships to group
dynamics. <br>
Therefore, shall organize themselves collectively and be committed to the
principle of consensus decision making and the development of a [direct,
participatory democratic process 8] that is transparent to its
membership.<br>
<br>
7. [All IMC's recognize that a prerequisite for participation in the
decision making process of each local group is the contribution of an
individual's labor to the group.] 9<br>
<br>
8. All IMC's are committed to caring for one another and our respective
communities both collectively and as individuals and will promote the
sharing of resources including knowledge, skills and equipment. 10<br>
<br>
9. All IMC's shall be committed to the use of free source code, whenever
possible, in order to develop the digital infrastructure, and to increase
the independence of the network by not relying on proprietary
software.<br>
<br>
10. All IMC's shall be committed to the principle of human equality, and
shall not discriminate, including discrimination based upon race,
gender, age, class or sexual orientation.11 Recognizing the vast cultural
traditions within the network, we are committed to building [diversity]
12 within our localities.<br>
<br>
NOTES:<br>
<br>
1. Strike "Confederated". Change name of network to
Independent Media Center Network. Concept of confederation still
very useful and should be integrated into charter somewhere but not in
title. Requires definition and education to dispel the connotations
that many North Americans have for the term
"Confederation."<br>
<br>
2. Strike "free speech". Replace with: "open exchange of
and open access to information.."<br>
<br>
3. Bracketed for further working group efforts to pin down concept of
respect for anonymity balanced with public nature of journalistic
efforts. <br>
Also, general statement of respectfulness.<br>
<br>
4. Strike "digital", replace with "web based."<br>
<br>
5. Strike "without fear of censorship."<br>
Replace with appendix: Open Publishing document. Possibly include
anti-censorship philosophy and references to Articles 15 and
16.<br>
<br>
6. Rephrasing from proposed charter.<br>
<br>
7. Combination of #'s 6 and 8 from proposed charter. #6 now contains what
was the first part of #8.<br>
<br>
8. Requires better definition of terms.<br>
<br>
9. Possible removal and insertion into the "Criteria for
membership."<br>
<br>
10. Addition of language describing commitment to each other and
communities and efforts to share knowledge and resources. (heart of the
matter, IMHO)<br>
<br>
11. Added "class." Phrased so as not to exclude other forms of
discrimination while highlighting these as core.<br>
<br>
12. Further definition of term "Diversity" is necessary.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
_________________________________________________________________<br>
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