Independent Media Center

The Independent Media Center (aka Indymedia or the IMC) started as a vision for a global, open network of DIY journalists and alternative media activists. It was and remains closely associated with the anti-globalization movement, which criticizes neoliberalism, NAFTA and the World Trade Organization. The overall network is decentralized to the extent that the local IMC's operate independently once they are authenticated into the IMC network. The process of admission into the IMC network is somewhat centralized but is relatively relaxed and transparent compared to the occasionally contentious disputes within local IMCs and has not generated a great deal of criticism. Local IMC collectives vary widely in their openess, editorial policies and tolerance of diffent viewpoints. Along with the centralized core collectives formed at the local level are IMC websites operating along themes such as Print Media or Biotech. Along with contributing their own media, these core organizers maintain the IMC's open publishing infrastructure, enabling different people throughout the internet to publish their news. Unlike wiki open publishing, which allows edits by the (non-centralized) masses, IMC editing is done by a system of layered admin which contributors apply to join for each site, by participating on open email lists and attending open meetings.

Related Topics:
DIY - Alternative - Media - Anti-globalization - Neoliberalism - NAFTA - World Trade Organization - Collectives - Open publishing

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