With all the talk about Boston's Indymedia, I thought I would present the first of the Indymedia's Seattle. Their history and editorial policy which I found to be interesting:
SEATTLE INDYMEDIA
History
The Independent Media Center (www.indymedia.org), was established by various independent and alternative media organizations and activists in 1999 for the purpose of providing grassroots coverage of the World Trade Organization (WTO) protests in Seattle. The center acted as a clearinghouse of information for journalists, and provided up-to-the-minute reports, photos, audio and video footage through its website. Using the collected footage, the Seattle Independent Media Center (seattle.indymedia.org) produced a series of five documentaries, uplinked every day to satellite and distributed throughout the United States to public access stations.
The center also produced its own newspaper, distributed throughout Seattle and to other cities via the internet, as well as hundreds of audio segments, transmitted through the web and Studio X, a 24-hour micro and internet radio station based in Seattle. The site, which used a democratic open-publishing system, logged more than 2 million hits, and was featured on America Online, Yahoo, CNN, BBC Online, and numerous other sites. Through a decentralized and autonomous network, hundreds of media activists setup independent media centers in London, Canada, Mexico City, Prague, Belgium, France, and Italy over the next year. IMCs have since been established on every continent, with more to come.
Editorial Policy
The Seattle Independent Media Center (here after SEAIMC) is an open collective of grassroots journalists dedicated to providing an open outlet for non-corporate news and analysis.
The SEAIMC is an organization that strives to work with all mediums, including print, audio, video, and internet. The website at http://seattle.indymedia.org/ is the online outlet of the organization's reporting.
The SEAIMC is affiliated with the global Indymedia movement. This network works to foster media creation based upon the principles of free participation and association, mutual aid, open-source software, open publishing, and transparent decision-making. As an affiliate of the Indymedia network, the SEAIMC remains committed to these principles.
The website operates two basic media dissemination structures: feature stories and the open newswire.
Feature stories, which are found in the center column of the website, are written and/or selected by members of the SEAIMC collective. These features represent the organization's daily output of news and editorial content. Seattle-area and Washington stories and issues are the focus of features, although regional and global stories are published as well. Features are typically based on content published on the open publishing newswire.
The open publishing newswire appears in the right-hand column of the website, and works as the basic means through which any participant can contribute news and editorial content to the SEAIMC website. Text, photo, audio, video, and several other types of files are publishable on the newswire.
The online newswire is designed to empower individuals to become independent and civic journalists by providing a direct, unmoderated forum for presenting media, including text articles, audio and video recordings, and photographs, to the public via the Internet. Within that general framework, we specifically encourage individuals to publish:
· Well-researched, timely articles
· Investigative reports exposing injustice
· Coverage of Seattle-area and Washington state issues
· Stories on events affecting underrepresented groups
· Media produced from within underrepresented groups
· Stories on issues ignored by the mainstream media
· Stories on people or projects working towards social and economic justice.
· Eyewitness accounts of progressive actions and demonstrations
· Media analysis
The newswire is a democratic forum designed to make available important stories, news, and opinions with local relevance. The newswire operates on the principle of "open publishing" meaning that anyone with access to the Internet can post articles, photographs, audio and video to the newswire without prior editorial approval. SEAIMC is dedicated to maintaining the newswire as a completely open forum. However, the editorial collective regularly watches the newswire, intervening on rare occasions to maintain its usefulness as a media resource and as a welcoming community space.
Content published on the newswire is not endorsed by the SEAIMC, and is subject to a basic editorial policy designed to facilitate open media-making while preventing obfuscation of the newswire as a media dissemination device.
The intent of the newswire is to enable independent reporters to publish news and commentary on contemporary social and political issues. Published material that abuses the editorial policy is liable to be hidden. Published content may also be grouped together if their subject matter is related. Hidden content is not visible on the front newswire archives, and is not included in the website search function. The decision to hide is made by individual SEAIMC collective members who are empowered to implement the editorial policy.
The SEAIMC reserves the right to hide newswire posts that:
1. Advertise commercial services or products
2. Are repetitive or duplicates
3. Contain or link to pornographic content
4. Publicize or advocate actions that actively endanger human or animal safety
5. Use language, imagery or other forms of communication that promote bigotry and/or hatred based upon gender, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion, class, age, physical or developmental ability, or national origin.
6. Contain content that has been published on multiple IMC newswires
7. Repostings of corporate media content that is available elsewhere on the internet, or excerpts of previously published material.
8. Appear in an unreadable format (e.g., posts posted as test) or are titled "test"
9. Are obviously false or misleading in terms of author, location, time, or actors. This includes attempts to spread disinformation or impersonate another individual.
10. Are unintelligible (e.g., containing numerous spelling or grammatical errors).
11. Are off-topic or are not news.
12. Are flamebaits made with the intention of provoking argument and/or limiting constructive dialog.
13. Are otherwise inconsistent with the general mission of this website, which is to use media production and distribution as tools for promoting social and economic justice in the Seattle-area and Washington State.
Published content that is included in any of the above categories may be hidden at the discretion of the SEAIMC. The hiding of articles, however, does not indicate that unhidden articles are endorsed by the SEAIMC.
The newswire is a tool intended to facilitate grassroots media dissemination, and the SEAIMC will actively strive to work as a community-based participatory media organization.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
PROMETHEUS RADIO PROJECT:
In relation to our discussions this week, I came across a non-profit organization that works with community organizations across the country to build and operate their own low power FM radio station. This group was orignally started because of their views that mainstream media often provides a narrow view of important issues that face our communities by highlighting the voices of those they consider to be “experts.” These “experts” often claim authority while ignoring those that are most impacted by the topic at hand. The following is a brief interview with "Prometheus Radio Project" to give you an idea what they are all about:
If you’re sick of stale corporate radio and desperate for local alternatives, you may have heard of the Prometheus Radio Project. The Philadelphia-based nonprofit collective—dedicated to empowering communities and spurring social change through community radio—is a proud antidote to the canned corporate sounds of Clear Channel and other radio behemoths.
More than 10 years after a small group of activists with roots in the pirate radio movement founded Prometheus, the organization is working hard to protect existing low-power FM (LPFM) stations from an industry lawsuit and helping the bipartisan Local Community Radio Act, which would open up more radio spectrum space for nonprofit LPFM stations, finally become law.
But Prometheus’ staff and volunteers are also firmly embedded in the grassroots, lending their skills and energy to community groups ready to build a radio station. Since 2002, collective members have traveled around the country for radio “barn raisings,” helping to raise antennae masts, construct studios and build local, vibrant alternatives to an increasingly centralized and corporatized media landscape.
Prometheus staff members Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Andy Gunn, Andalusia Knoll, Anthony Mazza, Sakura Saunders and Pete Tridish corresponded via e-mail with In These Times in early April.
In 25 words or less, what makes you so special? (Keep in mind that humility, while admirable, is boring).
We are a collectively run nonprofit organization of media activists, organizers and techies fighting for participatory community radio.
What’s the first thing that comes up when your name is Googled?
Our organization’s Web site comes up, along with the Media Ownership Lawsuit in which Prometheus sued the FCC for their attempt to trash the few remaining regulations preventing complete monopoly ownership of our media. We won, and that David and Goliath story has made national headlines and is one small step toward ending the corporate domination of our media.
Shamelessly plug a colleague’s project.
Prometheus works with community organizations across the country to build and operate their own low-power FM radio stations. We worked with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to build and operate their own radio station. The CIW farm-workers in southwestern Florida have won campaigns for better wages and working conditions against the largest fast food corporations in the country. They are currently battling against modern-day slavery in Florida’s fields and taking on food suppliers like Aramark and Sysco to demand an end to exploitation.
Describe your politics
We are collectively run because we believe that all people’s voices should be heard. We work with social justice organizations that are parts of a larger social movement fighting for self-determination. We believe that we live in an outrageously unequal and unjust society and that those most affected by these imbalances must be at the forefront of changing this system and bringing about justice. We recognize that more democratic access and ownership of the media plays an essential role in this process.
Name a journalist whose work you read religiously. Why?
Seymour Hersh. It’s unfortunately so rare to see a journalist who has worked so long and is so well-respected in the “industry” and still speaks truth to power. Helen Thomas comes to mind as well.
What is your favorite In These Times story?
Well, that’s easy: “Mo’ Power for Low Power.” This piece features the Chicago Independent Radio Project—which, along with other groups across the country, is eager to see our airwaves open up for more community radio stations.
What’s a mistake the mainstream media always makes that really gets under your skin?
Mainstream media often provides a narrow view of important issues that face our communities by highlighting the voices of those they consider to be “experts.” These “experts” often claim authority while ignoring those that are most impacted by the topic at hand.
What’s your favorite Web-based tool for your job? Give us a quick walk through on how to use it.
We love the Prometheus maptool. This was created by a former intern-extraordinaire, and it links to all of the low-power FM radio stations on the air. Check it out!
What’s one piece of legislation (state or national) you’d like to see passed right now?
We are working hard, teaming up with grassroots folks from across the country and media justice and reform organizations from the beltway and beyond to pass the 2009 Local Community Radio Act. This important piece of legislation will expand low-power FM radio to cities, towns and suburbs across the country, opening up the airwaves for hundreds or potentially thousands of new, non-commercial, local, participatory community radio stations.
Are you involved with any interesting forms of activism? Could you tell us about any of these projects?
We are working with people across the country to pass city council resolutions in support of expanding low-power FM radio. Resolutions have been advanced in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.; Hartford, Conn.; Boston, Mass.; Lake Worth, Fla.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Frankfort, Ky. We are also asking people to sign LPFM Now! Postcards and mail them into their Representatives. Phone calls, e-mails, letters, meetings and surprise visits to congressional offices are an important part of this campaign as well.
How can others get involved?
Call your congressperson right now! Tell them that you support The Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147 & S592), and ask them to cosponsor this legislation as a sign of support for community media.
What campaign should we all sign on to right now?
Join the campaign to expand LPFM. Check out our Web site and get involved. Download a city council resolutions toolkit.
What local media do you depend on?
Prometheus is based in Philadelphia, and the dearth of community media here is what got Prometheus activists involved in these issues in the first place. A few years back however, we were honored to play a role in the re-launch of Philadelphia’s only historical community radio station, WPEB, a progressive, local media outlet serving West Philadelphia.
Have you ever had any run-ins with the law that you’d like to share?
Prometheus grew out of the pirate radio scene, so collectively we’ve had lots of run-ins with the law.
In relation to our discussions this week, I came across a non-profit organization that works with community organizations across the country to build and operate their own low power FM radio station. This group was orignally started because of their views that mainstream media often provides a narrow view of important issues that face our communities by highlighting the voices of those they consider to be “experts.” These “experts” often claim authority while ignoring those that are most impacted by the topic at hand. The following is a brief interview with "Prometheus Radio Project" to give you an idea what they are all about:
If you’re sick of stale corporate radio and desperate for local alternatives, you may have heard of the Prometheus Radio Project. The Philadelphia-based nonprofit collective—dedicated to empowering communities and spurring social change through community radio—is a proud antidote to the canned corporate sounds of Clear Channel and other radio behemoths.
More than 10 years after a small group of activists with roots in the pirate radio movement founded Prometheus, the organization is working hard to protect existing low-power FM (LPFM) stations from an industry lawsuit and helping the bipartisan Local Community Radio Act, which would open up more radio spectrum space for nonprofit LPFM stations, finally become law.
But Prometheus’ staff and volunteers are also firmly embedded in the grassroots, lending their skills and energy to community groups ready to build a radio station. Since 2002, collective members have traveled around the country for radio “barn raisings,” helping to raise antennae masts, construct studios and build local, vibrant alternatives to an increasingly centralized and corporatized media landscape.
Prometheus staff members Cory Fischer-Hoffman, Andy Gunn, Andalusia Knoll, Anthony Mazza, Sakura Saunders and Pete Tridish corresponded via e-mail with In These Times in early April.
In 25 words or less, what makes you so special? (Keep in mind that humility, while admirable, is boring).
We are a collectively run nonprofit organization of media activists, organizers and techies fighting for participatory community radio.
What’s the first thing that comes up when your name is Googled?
Our organization’s Web site comes up, along with the Media Ownership Lawsuit in which Prometheus sued the FCC for their attempt to trash the few remaining regulations preventing complete monopoly ownership of our media. We won, and that David and Goliath story has made national headlines and is one small step toward ending the corporate domination of our media.
Shamelessly plug a colleague’s project.
Prometheus works with community organizations across the country to build and operate their own low-power FM radio stations. We worked with the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to build and operate their own radio station. The CIW farm-workers in southwestern Florida have won campaigns for better wages and working conditions against the largest fast food corporations in the country. They are currently battling against modern-day slavery in Florida’s fields and taking on food suppliers like Aramark and Sysco to demand an end to exploitation.
Describe your politics
We are collectively run because we believe that all people’s voices should be heard. We work with social justice organizations that are parts of a larger social movement fighting for self-determination. We believe that we live in an outrageously unequal and unjust society and that those most affected by these imbalances must be at the forefront of changing this system and bringing about justice. We recognize that more democratic access and ownership of the media plays an essential role in this process.
Name a journalist whose work you read religiously. Why?
Seymour Hersh. It’s unfortunately so rare to see a journalist who has worked so long and is so well-respected in the “industry” and still speaks truth to power. Helen Thomas comes to mind as well.
What is your favorite In These Times story?
Well, that’s easy: “Mo’ Power for Low Power.” This piece features the Chicago Independent Radio Project—which, along with other groups across the country, is eager to see our airwaves open up for more community radio stations.
What’s a mistake the mainstream media always makes that really gets under your skin?
Mainstream media often provides a narrow view of important issues that face our communities by highlighting the voices of those they consider to be “experts.” These “experts” often claim authority while ignoring those that are most impacted by the topic at hand.
What’s your favorite Web-based tool for your job? Give us a quick walk through on how to use it.
We love the Prometheus maptool. This was created by a former intern-extraordinaire, and it links to all of the low-power FM radio stations on the air. Check it out!
What’s one piece of legislation (state or national) you’d like to see passed right now?
We are working hard, teaming up with grassroots folks from across the country and media justice and reform organizations from the beltway and beyond to pass the 2009 Local Community Radio Act. This important piece of legislation will expand low-power FM radio to cities, towns and suburbs across the country, opening up the airwaves for hundreds or potentially thousands of new, non-commercial, local, participatory community radio stations.
Are you involved with any interesting forms of activism? Could you tell us about any of these projects?
We are working with people across the country to pass city council resolutions in support of expanding low-power FM radio. Resolutions have been advanced in Urbana-Champaign, Ill.; Hartford, Conn.; Boston, Mass.; Lake Worth, Fla.; Minneapolis, Minn.; and Frankfort, Ky. We are also asking people to sign LPFM Now! Postcards and mail them into their Representatives. Phone calls, e-mails, letters, meetings and surprise visits to congressional offices are an important part of this campaign as well.
How can others get involved?
Call your congressperson right now! Tell them that you support The Local Community Radio Act (HR 1147 & S592), and ask them to cosponsor this legislation as a sign of support for community media.
What campaign should we all sign on to right now?
Join the campaign to expand LPFM. Check out our Web site and get involved. Download a city council resolutions toolkit.
What local media do you depend on?
Prometheus is based in Philadelphia, and the dearth of community media here is what got Prometheus activists involved in these issues in the first place. A few years back however, we were honored to play a role in the re-launch of Philadelphia’s only historical community radio station, WPEB, a progressive, local media outlet serving West Philadelphia.
Have you ever had any run-ins with the law that you’d like to share?
Prometheus grew out of the pirate radio scene, so collectively we’ve had lots of run-ins with the law.
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