[Imc-midwest-regional] Regional Indymedia Gathering in Urbana, Illinois.

[Paul Riismandel]

At 02:38 AM 8/25/2001 -0500, Stephen P Konieczka wrote:
>I imagine using this time in October(?) to share ideas and resources that
>increase each of our locals' impact at home. I think of the possibilities
>for discussing and strengthening our regional network (as well as that of
>global) through discussions on our communications infrastructure.  I seek
>to use this time—as short as it is—to examine how we deal with the forces
>that are bearing down on us with increasing violence.

Stephen, I have to say that I agree with you.  Perhaps one way to approach 
it is to make the focus of any session to be tactics/ideas for action, and 
to use that as a guide for choosing the sessions and discussions.  For 
example, the suggested session on lpfm and pirate radio can indeed be a 
session focused on action, should there be interest in it.  Micropower 
radio can be a tactic that IMCs can use, and there are a variety of ways to 
approach it, and there also needs to be a discussion of the associated 
risks.  Urbana was associated with groups trying to get a licensed lpfm 
here, the hopes of which were dashed when Congress decided to muck in the 
FCC's backyard.

I'm a little less sure about how a discussion or talk on media 
concentration might fit the paradigm. However, Prof. McChesney was active 
in the independent media prior to his career as a professor, and I think 
that if asked he can offer both methods and tactics along with his 
analyses, and would be willing to be interactive in hashing out 
philosophical issues, especially when it comes to the barriers that stand 
between IMCs and their communities.

Although I'm not sure if they've shown up on the list, here in Urbana we've 
talked about having sessions on getting 501(c)(3) status and setting up 
a  public space, two things we've done here and which some of our folks can 
offer concrete advice on, while also stimulating ideas on approaches from 
those who attend.

Another session idea I can think of is how to cover the large 
anti-globalization protests--how can the local IMC make these happenings 
relevant to folks in their communities?  How can the IMCs collaborate more 
with each other in coverage and sharing of resource during these tense, 
busy and exciting times?

Eager to hear what others think...

--Paul