[Imc-sydney] Can I expect backing?

[Cameron Gregg]

diet simon wrote:
> Please note: this list is archived and searchable via the web.
> The German IndyMedia group are about to launch an action to ban me off 
> IMC discussion lists. I have been in dispute with them over their 
> censorship. Can I expect backing from any of you?
> 

Which lists in particular? Or is it a blanket ban for all international 
lists?

I don't support the ban as general principle, and I will have to wait to 
see the actual proposal before I can confirm absolute non-support, but...

I am on the resolve list where I see most of your complaints have been 
directed. I don't think it's going to achieve anything to continue 
posting a complaint every time one of your stories is hidden. It's been 
the same routine for some months now with no resolution. People are now 
aware of your grievances, and the nature that it is ongoing. I don't 
think that continuing this pattern will benefit you, indeed it seems it 
has inflamed IMC Germany to the point they wish to ban you.


I believe IMC Germany is well within their rights to set their own 
editorial policy and practice it. They have stated that they only want 
original pieces written by the submitter. You have violated that policy 
by posting works you haven't written. It seem straight forward to me.

2 Questions:

Has IMC Germany hidden any stories that are your original work (and do 
they still remain hidden) ?

Has IMC Germany engaged in selective hiding. That is, have they allowed 
other non-original work to remain on the newswire while yours was hidden?


I would suggest the action to take now (if you haven't already) would be 
to start a page on the global wiki. Document each time one of your 
stories is hidden (and remains hidden). Provide links to the story and 
to any discussion on the IMC Germany lists about it. When I say 'your 
stories' I am referring to ones you have written. I do not think there 
is any real point in attacking them on their editorial policy. The point 
has been made already on global lists, I don't recall any other person 
agreeing with your criticism that their editorial policy violates 
indymedia principles.

I also think that some of the language you have used on the resolve list 
is inappropriate. As an example:

""now what?" - Change your high-handed, dictatorial, arrogant, 
exclusionist, school-masterly,impregnable, anonymously powerful, 
intellectual apartheid attitudes.  You don't need them."

This kind of language is inflammatory, even if you feel it is correct. I 
can see the point has come where both you and Germany IMC are inflamed. 
Conflicts at this level don't tend to pan out well unless someone backs 
down. I would suggest, as you have not garnered international support, 
that you be the one that backs down.


I would suggest the following actions be taken by you:

- start a wiki page to document your grievances.
- stop using inappropriate language towards other IMC comrades.
- email the resolve list saying that you will no longer be posting 
regularly to the list, and that your grievances can be found at the wiki 
page you set up.
- apologise to anyone you think you have used inappropriate language to.

Basically I think you have to admit defeat and declare that you have no 
interest at escalating the matter any further.

I really don't think you have a strong case for disaffiliation, so I see 
no point in any further confrontations.


Cameron