인디미디어 Korea Indymedia

What is the Indymedia Center?

 There are more than 120 Indymedia Centers connected by international networks throughout the world. The first Indymedia Center was created in 1999 during the anti-globalization struggle in Seattle. Media activists rallied together and spontaneously created the media center to spread the news about the struggle by publishing news articles, photos, and videos. They succeeded in disrupting the WTO summit and subsequently Indymedia Centers spread to many regions throughout the world. Today, these Indymedia Centers, based in the grassroots movements of many different regions, serve as alternative media outlets by transmitting information about local issues and people's movements.

The Indymedia Center connects the world through grassroots alternative media and operates independently from the nation-state and capital under the following principles.

First, IMC is not associated with the government or any government entity. Each regional center is created spontaneously under the principle of 'free association'. All participants have equal authority and no individual or group may hold a monopoly over the IMC.

Second, IMCs guarantee free exchange of and access to information. All IMCs, based on 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.

All IMCs recognize the importance of the process of social change and are committed to the development of non-hierarchical and anti-authoritarian relationships, from interpersonal relationships to group dynamics. Therefore, IMCs 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 need for an Indymedia Center in South Korea

The wealth of independent media in South Korea...

The principles and structure of the IMC are similar to the 'free board' (open online forums) that are widely used in South Korea. There is already a strong network between organizations that are active in social movements and a wide range of local independent media groups.

Spreading the information beyond South Korea...

The problem is that most of the news produced by independent media is transmitted in Korean. Although this information is circulated widely inside South Korea, it is cannot be transmitted abroad. In order to share information about the situation in South Korea and create solidarity with the international community, we need a channel that provides multilingual communication. Moreover, a multilingual independent media entity created by the grassroots is needed to challenge the distortions and conservative views that are propagated by the English-language newspapers.

Publishing articles anonymously...

There is also a need for an open publishing news website that allows contributors to publish articles anonymously. The government and the corporate media groups, using the real-name system, are increasingly monitoring Internet users and violating their right of free expression and anonymity, transforming the web into a nationalized and privatized territory. Individuals must challenge this threat and protect the public domain in which free communication and free association are possible.

Networking and solidarity with international activists...

People from many different places are residing in and migrating to South Korea, They include people from England and the United States, as well as China, the Philippines, Russia, Nepal, Bangladesh and other countries. Many of them desire an alternative news media source. There are many foreigners living here and abroad who are knowledgeable about the problems in Korea, but they are unable to acquire information or participate in the movements in Korea due to language restrictions. IMC Korea will provide an open space where they can gather together and participate in the local movements. It will also act as a bridge between Korean and international activists to network and exchange information.

The Goals and Plans of IMC Korea

In additional to these goals of IMC Korea, there are other detailed goals and plans.

First, a wide range of news from South Korea must be published in different languages. Information related to the labor movement, the environmental movement, the minority movements, the gay and lesbian movements, the conscientious objectors' movement, the peace movement, the migrant workers' movement, the farming communities' movement, the movement for the poor, and other movements will be transmitted in a variety of media including news articles, images, videos, music, and internet radio. IMC Korea is in solidarity with the participants of these movements. Although English is the language that is used primarily at the moment, we expect IMC Korea to utilize many different languages as we build a diverse, multilingual community of contributors.

Second, IMC Korea will translate and transmit international news from other countries locally and raise awareness of these issues among the Korean community. e.g., the anti-globalization movements like the anti-G8 mobilizations, the citizens' movement in Japan, the movements for the impoverished people of India and Africa, the struggles of the farmers and the poor against global capitalism in South America, the Tibetan independence movement, ecological activism in various countries, the anti-war movement, etc.

Third, we will raise public awareness about IMC Korea by regularly holding film screenings that are free and open to the public. IMC Korea will be a media space in which many people can participate. The screenings will present nonprofit independent documentary films that give insights into people's movements both within Korea and abroad. Through appreciation and discussion of these films, we hope the members of the audience will gain a deeper understanding of the struggles and feel empowered to participate.

IMC Korea is made for people who want to participate. Its goals and plans may change as new challenges and missions arise. We hope that IMC Korea will take on new projects and objectives in addition to those that are outlined here.

IMC Korea process

The operation of IMC Korea may change according to the decisions reached by a consensus of the participating members. Currently, there are three groups within IMC Korea: the tech team is responsible for the technical development and maintenance of the website; the public relations team manages communications and awareness raising projects; and the editorial team handles the editing and preparation of articles and manages the editorial policy.

Important decisions that affect the operation of IMC Korea are discussed during the general meeting where a consensus decision-making process is used. We are currently discussing how to create an inclusive process in which none of the participants feel excluded. General meetings are open to the public and take place on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The location and time of the general meeting is shown on the IMC Korea online board.

We encourage everyone to engage in other projects, as individuals or in teams, beyond those outlined here. Our recent activities include translation projects, internet radio/TV news programs, and film screenings to raise awareness about issues such as the struggle of the evictees in redevelopment areas, the alternative housing movement, and the movement against the four rivers maintenance project.

How can I participate in IMC Korea and its projects?

1. Participate in the general meeting.

2. Subscribe to the IMC Korea mailing list.

(http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-korea)

3. Attend the free film screenings.

4. Post content on the Newswire