Info

The Independent Media Center is a network of collectively run media outlets for the creation of radical, accurate, and passionate tellings of the truth. We work out of a love and inspiration for people who continue to work for a better world, despite corporate media's distortions and unwillingness to cover the efforts to free humanity.

History
from indymedia.org...
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.

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 uses 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. Each local site has its own editorial policy and mission statement, but must also agree to the network Principles of Unity.

Indymedia Network Principles of Unity
All member collectives of the Indepedent Media Center Network must agree to the following points of unity:

1. The Independent Media Center Network (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.

2. All IMC's consider open exchange of and open access to information a prerequisite to the building of a more free and just society.

[3. All IMC's respect the right of activists who choose not to be photographed or filmed.]

4. All IMC's, based upon the trust of their contributors and readers, shall utilize open web based publishing, allowing individuals, groups and organizations to express their views, anonymously if desired. **see appendix: Open Publishing document --> still in proposal phase, at this address: http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-communication/2001-April/0... http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/public/imc-communication/2001-April/0...

5. The IMC Network and all local IMC collectives shall be not-for-profit.

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, from interpersonal relationships to group dynamics. Therefore, shall organize themselves collectively and be committed to the principle of consensus decision making and the development of a direct, participatory democratic process] that is transparent to its membership.

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.]

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.

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.

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. Recognizing the vast cultural traditions within the network, we are committed to building [diversity] within our localities.

Twin Cities Indymedia Mission Statement
Drafted 11/15/06

Twin Cities Indymedia strives to link our local community to global currents of resistance by democratically and transparently facilitating a process of self-representation. By broadening access to technology and information we aim to provide a space where diverse communities and struggles can be linked across language and geography.

Editorial Policy
Revised 11/15/06

Twin Cities Indymedia is an open-publishing website. The Editorial Policy is not designed to censor, but rather help maintain a community of mutual respect where all users can express themselves freely. To this end, the editorial collective reserves the right to 'hide' articles that violate the site's mission. (more...)

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed on this site do not necessarily reflect those held by the minneapolis / st paul Independant Media Center. This site is based upon an open publishing method that allows any individual to post information and media to the site. (more...)

Donate
Support Independent Media

The Independent Media Center is a grassroots organization committed to using media production and distribution as a tool for promoting social and economic justice.

The IMC is a truly cooperative effort of hundreds of independent media organizations. The IMC is not owned or funded by big conglomerates and advertisers and we are in desperate need of your support to sustain our effort.

We are happy to take donations of time, financial assistance, or equipment.

If you're interested in speaking with us about donations, please contact us at twincities (at) indymedia.org or come to a meeting! Also, you may send contributions by mail to the following address:

Twin Cities Indymedia
c/o Arise! Books and Resources
2441 Lyndale Ave S.
Minneapolis, MN 55405