<< retour ImcNice

-- GeneX - 23 Oct 2002 -- Traduction GAROTO

---

PRINCIPLES 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.

• => the IMC-NICE upholds this principle. Its creation refers to a very strong intention of local autonomy and independence regarding a centralized and Parisian IMC-FRANCE.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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/001707.html

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle. Open Publishing and management of the central column is an integral part of its charter.

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

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

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.

• => the IMC-NICE respects this principle.

CRITERIA OF MEMBERSHIP

Title: CRITERIA OF MEMBERSHIP IN the CMI - DRAFT

THIS IS THE CURRENT DRAFT OF THE IMC (Independant Media Center/ IMC in English) MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA. WE WILL SEND FUTURE DRAFTS AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE.]

IMC MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA - DRAFT Each IMC and Global Working Group is expected to:

a. Agree in spirit to the NIMC Mission Statement and ImcNantesPrinciples of Unity,

• => IMC-NICE agree with the enonciated principles. The collective IMC-nice charter include this mission and principles.

B. Have a committed membership substantial enough to sustain a functional IMC

• => the IMC-NICE counts on a ten people cell nucleus, and the attendance of around thirty people in the regular meetings of the collective physical meetings happen every 15 days

C. Have open and public meetings (no one group can have exclusionary 'ownership' of an IMC)

• => IMC-Nice's meetings are opened, advertised on the connection page of the collective and publicized.

D. Work toward developing a local Mission Statement or Statement of Purpose. Network Mission Statement may be adopted or used on an interim basis.

• => The IMC-nice collective wrote his charter stating its founders principles. It is permanently visible on the connection page of the collective (http://indy.medianice.org)

E. Establish and publish an editorial policy which is developed and functions through democratic process, and with full transparency

• => This point is described in the second part of the charter stating founders principles of the IMC-Nice collective ( Http://indy.medianice.org)

F Agree to the use of Open Publishing as described in the NIMC Editorial Policy [editorial collective comments: 'We did agree that the term 'Open Publishing' was one that is still being defined by the Global Network Collective, and we would wait and see what the results were before rewriting this criteria

• => the IMC-NICE supports Open Publishing. The site will be opened and the Open-publishing column activated.

G. Adopt a decision-making policy that is in alignment with consensus principles which include open, transparent and egalitarian processes

• => the IMC-NICE only takes its decisions consistently by this way.

H.Have a spokesperson(s) willing and capable of participating in the global decision-making process and meetings as a rotating liaison/representative, with a clear understanding of the responsibilities that come with this role

• > the IMC-Nice collective members are often in attendance in the globa l or thematic lists.

I. Participate in the key IMC Network Communication Methods that pertain to the health and vitality of the Network and that contribute to the work of the IMC. Assure that at least one person from your local IMC participates at any given time on the IMC-Communications list

• => various people of the collective have subscribed on the IMC-COMMUNICATION list, and produce synthesis on the local lists.

J. (NOT FINALIZED): Have no official affiliation with any political party, state or candidate for office (comments: but individual producers have freedom to do whatever they like and local IMCs can 'feature' stories about various political parties and initiatives)

• => The principle of political independence is current in the stating principles founders charter of the IMC-nice collective.

K. IMCs shall in no way engage in commercial for-profit enterprises. [We could add: The IMCN is committed to the decommercialization of information and will disassociate from any local IMC that decides to become a for profit media corporation.]

• => the IMC-NICE is in complete agreement with this principle.

L. Display a 'i' logo local version on your website and literature.

• => the IMC-NICE will do it... as soon as its site will be functioning. By now, it's attending on the connection page (http://indy.medianice.org)

M. Include the IMC Network current and Cities List on your site, preferably on the front page.

• => the IMC-NICE will do it... as soon as its site will be functioning.

NETWORK MEMBERSHIP

1. Network Membership is open to any group that accepts the above criteria for membership. In the case of several requests from the same city or region, we will encourage them to meet and work together.

2. Network Membership in the NIMC will be confirmed by the New IMC Working Group, which is accountable to IMC-Process and ultimately to the NIMC decision-making process.

DEFINING OUR TERMS:

For clarity and precision, we need to define our terms more carefully so there is less room for misunderstanding. Also explains how we as a culture (the IMC culture) use these terms.

• NIMC =Network of Independent Media Centers

• Open =means that diverse people and groups are welcome to attend and that no attempt is made to exclude people based on their sex, race, gender, class, age, ability or religion.

• Official affiliation =still being worked on

• IMC Network Communication Methods international email lists, IRC discussions and logs, phone calls and conference calls, and face-to-face meetings.

• Local version acknowledges the many variations of the name and the logo that will occur depending on the language and culture of the local IMC.

to top