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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Forward Observer: A Call For Participants in DC |
Current rating: 0 |
by Michael Cook
Email: michael (nospam) forward-observer.org (unverified!) |
19 Aug 2001
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This is a call out for independent journalists interested in taking part in a collective experiment in web-based, mobilization reporting. We're planning to cover the Washington, DC mobilization next month, but we need people to come on board and participate in this. |
This is a call out for independent journalists interested in taking part in a collective experiment in web-based, mobilization reporting. Based on the assumption that the world needs better coverage of major protest mobilizations, we\'re looking to do what indymedia hasn\'t been able to do: present cohesive, in-depth and analytical coverage of mobilizations as they occur. We\'re planning to cover the Washington, DC mobilization next month, but we need people to come on board and participate in this.
Presented below is a basic outline of the method of coverage that we\'re planning for Washington. It\'s still just a series of concepts, and we\'re hoping that some of you may be sufficiently intrigued to offer your own opinions and suggestions, and to consider participating in this project. If you are interested in participating in any capacity (even if you will be in Washington with some other organization but would consider coverage-share or other mutual aid methods... this i guess would especially apply to print journalists who wouldn\'t be writing their primary coverage until after the actions) or if you would just like to offer suggestions or criticism, please e-mail info (at) forward-observer.org.
FORWARD OBSERVER
Forward Observer is conceived out of dedication to the processes and goals of the anti-corporate globalization movement, and born of a deep frustration with the weaknesses and failings of current independent media instruments in covering mobilizations as they occur. Forward Observer is an effort to provide the sort of coverage that indymedia.org, by virtue of its focus, structure and processes, cannot.
Specifically, Forward Observer’s coverage is intended to be integrated and coherent, timely and evocative. From the streets to the Web, tactical and strategic coverage that is to be as in-depth and cohesive as possible. It is to be coverage that contains analysis and goes beyond the generic and fractured reporting that is generally the product of Indymedia coverage of a major mobilization.
To this end, Forward Observer will not operate on the open-publishing model. While we will certainly entertain submissions, and continue to make our own contributions to Indymedia, we believe that to accomplish the goals outlined above requires a closed editorial process. As such, Forward Observer will operate as a sort of electronic magazine, its content determined by collective editorial decision-making by Forward Observer team members. We see Forward Observer’s role as complementary to that of Indymedia, and recognize the importance of open-publishing media both to the anti-corporate globalization movement and to outreach efforts into the wider global community.
With Forward Observer, we hope to open a new, effective and accessible avenue of informative reporting that is beneficial to both the activist community and the public beyond.
BASIC THEORETICAL MODEL FOR FORWARD OBSERVER MOBILIZATIONAL REPORTING
Forward Observer’s aim during a mobilization is to provide news and analysis reporting in as timely and accurate a fashion as possible. The Forward Observer model consists of two components: multiple street teams and a base team. Ideally, these would be atleast somewhat rotatable.
The Forward Observer Street Team:
Group containing a minimum of two journalists; equipped with a cell phone or radio, and some or all of: photo, video, audio recorders. Assigned to a specific sector or action, the group stays in frequent contact with the base team and, when necessary, other nearby Forward Observer teams, and covers the events of their sector or action. This coverage should include both real-time event reporting (called in to the base team immediately / as soon as it is possible to do so) and more in-depth, analytical reporting at intervals during the day, and should address as many of the Forward Observer coverage goals as possible.
The Forward Observer Base Team:
The base team works out of the IMC or another convenient and technology-enabled facility, interfaces with the street teams, operates the Forward Observer website, manages Forward Observer’s coverage during the hectic daytime hours, and helps and interfaces with other independent media groups when possible. The base team should be composed of two or more people, is equipped with a cell phone or radio, and should maintain access as constant as possible to an Internet-enabled computer. The base team collects, collates and publishes to the web the information and analysis that the street teams produce.
COVERAGE GOALS
Concepts and issues that we should consider covering during and after the mobilization.
BACKGROUND
Articles about the situations that have lead to the mobilization. In Washington\'s case, we should be looking for local stories from areas affected by IMF/WB activities, along with examinations of the mechanics of the IMF/WB.
While our coverage is directed at the mobilization itself, it should never lose sight of why the demonstrations are occurring. To that end, we should attempt to have background articles in every day\'s mobilization coverage.
GEOGRAPHICS
How do geographical relationships develop during the summit?
For instance, how does the positioning of protest infrastructure (medical centre, imc, food, housing, etc) strengthen or hinder the demo? How are the services of the infrastructure affected by events (in QC, medic centre and IMC were situated little more than a stone’s throw from one of the weekend’s most intense and violent confrontation points, and operations were adversely affected… street medic centre evacuated/forced out by police; imc operations hindered by tear gas, police upstairs, redeployment of medical centre in the lobby).
Are there particular points where people congregate? Lines of force? Choke points? How do these affect the way actions develop and play out?
How do the police use the protest area’s geography to their advantage? How do / how could demonstrators take advantage of that same geography?
PROTEST INFRASTRUCTURE
Is the available infrastructure (housing, food, medical, imc, convergence centre, etc.) sufficient? What problems occur? Constrastly, what are some bright spots?
ACTIONS
Yeah, this is the \"exciting, armrest-gripping, edge-of-your-seat\" part.
Basic coverage of each action. Five W’s. Blah blah blah.
What effect does each action have? What succeeds? What fails? Why? How do the police adapt to the actions? Does the scheduling / location / mechanics of certain actions interfere with the success or failure of others?
PEOPLE
Demonstrators
We should always try to get real, personal reactions from people about the events that have happened or that are happening around them. Beyond that, some effort should be made to capture some of the individual stories at the mobilization. Why are they here? What do they hope to accomplish? Afterwards: How has their experience changed them? How will it affect them, their future efforts, their mindset? Etc.
Residents
We should make an attempt to interface with local residents / workers, and try to get some of their reactions (and, where appropriate, provide gently suggested alternatives to any misconceptions they may have of what the mobilization is about… just because we’re journos doesn’t mean we can’t be educators on a more individual basis). Further... How do they feel about the meetings and the larger issues? The demonstrations? Individual protesters? What do they know about what is happening inside? Etc. Personal background where possible / appropriate.
Police
Assuming we can successfully dialogue with individual police members at some point during the course of the mobilization… What do they know about what’s happening in the meetings that they are defending and the larger issues? Do they have any understanding of why the demonstrations are occurring? Personal background where possible / appropriate.
MEDIA
Examination of the differences between mainstream accounts of the demos and what has actually occurred.
Analysis where possible of why these differences exist. It’s not always a question of mainstream media being biased or choosing not to report something.
Local outreach of independent media coverage. Does independent media coverage of the mobilization achieve anything locally?
COMMUNICATIONS AND LEADERSHIP
One of the weaknesses of the demos in Quebec seemed to be a lack of communication between the diverse groups represented within the mobilization, and a lack of leadership by the organizers or collective leadership by the affinity groups involved in the demonstrations.
What, if any, communication occurs between the diverse organizing groups, and between them and the individual affinity groups between the actions? How does this support or hamper the actions themselves? Are rumours a problem? How does confusion affect things? What are possible solutions to these communications problems? Keeping in mind the anarchist structure of the movement, is sufficient leadership shown by organizers? By affinity groups making collective decisions? What can be done from leadership standpoints to improve the effectiveness of mass mobilizations?
CONCLUSIONS
Each member of the Forward Observer team should prepare some sort of concluding statement about the mobilization, with their impressions, memories, and suggestions.
Additionally, we should seek out similar accounts from other areas of the mobilization: organizers, individuals, other infrastructure people (medic, food, imc, etc)
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
What are the most important lessons to be learned for future demos / mobilizations? What did the mobilization achieve? How do we continue the fight?
As you can see, a lot of thought has already gone into this idea, and we\'re hoping that it, at the very least, will trigger additional thought elsewhere. You don\'t have to be particularly experienced to participate and contribute to this project, you just need to be able to write and to think for yourself. Again, if you would be interested in working on the Forward Observer project, or would simply like to offer your two cents on the concept, please e-mail:
info (at) forward-observer.org
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See also:
http://www.forward-observer.org
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new idea? |
by observer
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
20 Aug 2001
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Why does this type of refinement of the IMC concept need to be a "thing" of its own? Reading that it will not be open publishing, and looking at the vague info on the website leaves me feeling somewhat unimpressed. I mean, there is no reason that any affinity group of media folks can't organize around the same concept of base-field communication and realtime reporting, and just post stuff on IMC, is there? Live streaming radio, anyone? This sounds like a "next big thing" which brings up the bile in my throat. I'm not tempted to send a note expressing interest to some "director" of Forward ObserverTM brand news, anyway.
peace.
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