Ian Cook

Abstract (English)

"Indymedia" is a grassroots, independent media project available in 190 locations, usually consisting of an on-line news site; collectives also often run workshops and training in journalism, produce a print version of the site and organise film screenings. The Migration page on the UK site is both news resource on migration issues and, as anyone can be an Indymedia journalist, it is a place where migrants can write about the issues that are affecting them.

Abstract (italiano)

"Indymedia" è un progetto mediatico indipendente disponibile in 190 diversi luoghi. Solitamente è costituito da un sito di notizie on-line, ma i collettivi che ne fanno parte organizzano spesso anche workshop di giornalismo, producono una versione cartacea del sito e organizzano retrospettive cinematografiche. La pagina “Migration” del sito inglese rappresenta una risorsa di notizie sui temi della migrazione, ma anche un’opportunità di partecipazione per gli immigrati, che possono scrivere sui temi di loro interesse, grazie al fatto che chiunque può diventare giornalista Indymedia.

1 The practice

1.1 Description of the project

"Indymedia" as a project was started in November 1999 as a way for members of the anti-globalisation movement to report on what was happening during the protests in Seattle USA, during a meeting of the World Trade Organisation. It has since spread to many different places across the globe, including much of Europe with around 190 active outlets.
In a broad sense anybody can publish on "Indymedia"; there are no ”writers” as anybody with access to a computer can post on the site, but there are editorial guidelines which are drawn up through consensus within the local collectives.
A taste of the political slant can be realised from the mission statement on the UK site,

“The "Indymedia UK" website provides an interactive platform for reports from the struggles for a world based on freedom, cooperation, justice and solidarity, and against environmental degradation, neoliberal exploitation, racism and patriarchy. The reports cover a wide range of issues and social movements - from neighbourhood campaigns to grassroots mobilisations, from critical analysis to direct action."
We aim to live up to the following principles:

• Indymedia United Kollektives works on a non-hierarchical basis
• We reject all systems of domination and discrimination
• We acknowledge that the struggle for a better world takes many forms. The focus of the Indymedia UK collective is on grassroots politics, actions and campaigns
• Indymedia United Kollektives does not have any ties with political parties or larger NGOs
• We understand that by lobbying there will be no radical change. As a collective our attitude is assertive, and where necessary confrontational
• Inherent in the mainstream corporate media is a strong bias towards capitalism's power structures, and it is an important tool in propagating these structures around the globe. While the mainstream media conceal their manifold biases and alignments, we clearly state our position. Indymedia UK does not attempt to take an objective and impartial standpoint: Indymedia UK clearly states its subjectivity.

It is hard to give more precise details about the aims and objectives of the migration page as because of the collective nature of the UK site, it is both broad and fluid, dependant upon which individuals are posting on it. As it is run by a network of individuals there may also be many radically different viewpoints among them. For instance some might believe in a “no-borders” position, whilst others might want to strengthen the UK’s commitment to providing a safe haven for refugees but not open up the UK’s borders completely.

The migration page has been particularly active over the past few years as the British government hardens its anti-asylum stance. This has also led to many migrants themselves using the site to report on the issues facing them. In this sense it has been useful as both a resource for migrants, as they can read about other people in similar situations across the country and as an outlet for them to air their experiences of being a migrant in the UK.

1.2 Time, structure and steps of the project

The first post on migration was in 2001 (entitled Chain of Border Camps Across Europe). It took a while for the site to pick up momentum with the stories only being written on the subject around every six months or so for the first two years. However, after this the frequency of reports has increased with posts now averaging more than one per week.
This rise in popularity could be explained in many ways including the overall rise in popularity of the Indymedia site, increased use of the internet, more “militant” action by migrant supporting groups, greater confidence (or desperation) amongst migrants or increased pressure by the UK government upon asylum seekers and refugees.
The project is ongoing; the migration page, like the rest of the Indymedia site, is growing in popularity slowly, as knowledge of the site spreads.

1.3 Place and context

The first post on migration was in 2001 (entitled Chain of Border Camps Across Europe). It took a while for the site to pick up momentum with the stories only being written on the subject around every six months or so for the first two years. However, after this the frequency of reports has increased with posts now averaging more than one per week.
This rise in popularity could be explained in many ways including the overall rise in popularity of the "Indymedia" site, increased use of the internet, more “militant” action by migrant supporting groups, greater confidence (or desperation) amongst migrants or increased pressure by the UK government upon asylum seekers and refugees.
The project is ongoing; the migration page, like the rest of the "Indymedia" site, is growing in popularity slowly, as knowledge of the site spreads.

1.4 Target

• Migrants: both to read and write their stories.
• The British Public: in an attempt to “redress the balance” of the perceived anti-immigrant bias in the corporate press.

1.5 Methodology

The website is maintained by a group of "techies" or technical experts, who volunteer their time to keep the web page running.
As "Indymedia" relies on ordinary people to write the news effort is put into increasing awareness of the site. Workshops are regularly run to help people improve their journalistic or on-line publishing skills.
From discussions (which can be seen on the open mailing lists) it becomes clear that writing stories for the migration pages (or indeed any pages on the site) are either upwards spiralling or downwards spiralling trends. That is to say that if stories are regularly updated then more and more people read the site and so write stories of their own.

1.6 Authors, financing and networks

Funding
Unlike many other news sites, Indymedia does not receive any money through selling advertising space. Indymedia relies on donations by individuals or on money raised at events, such as music or film nights to cover its running costs. This can often lead to technical problems, as much of the hardware is second-hand and old. Sometimes it takes a considerable amount of time for stories to appear on the site or for stories, which are deemed inappropriate, to be hidden because of, for example, server problems.

Networks
The migration page is often written on by campaigning groups (e.g. National Coalition Against the Deportation of Refugees), by activists attending demonstrations or actions in support of migrant rights and by the migrants themselves. Therefore the networks are already in place for spreading the use of the site. Usually people want to have a wide a coverage as possible for their events and so if they already will be publishing press-releases then it is not so much extra effort to convert the information into ‘news’ and post it on the site. 

2 Hints for an evaluation