Online, ungoverned, open forums are the latest darling of progressive media, and Idaho will soon be part of the trend. Lead by Martin Orr, an associate professor of sociology at Boise State University, a group of dedicated Idahoans is about to realize the dream of unadulterated news. These "purists" follow in the footsteps of activists and alternative journalists in Seattle who created the first Independent Media Center (IMC) in response to the WTO riots of 1999.
The Seattle IMC took shape in contrast to what Orr calls "poor coverage" of the landmark event. Dissatisfied viewers and media members wanted no-frills, up-to-the-minute reports, so they set up the Independent Media Center as a resource for collective footage, information and commentary. Seattle's IMC was the first of its kind, a democratic, globally-connected message board that circulated news unspoiled by the dilution and distortion that results from too much editorial influence.
The idea worked so well and was so far-reaching that it became its own force for change and free expression. People everywhere were inspired to create their own IMCs, and the list is growing on an international scale.
On the verge of completion, the Idaho IMC advertises a mission statement very similar to the original. Labeling itself an outlet for "radical, accurate and passionate" reporting, the site invites and will broadcast news with what Orr calls "a greater readiness to acknowledge the truth."
"IMC is not anti-journalist," Orr says, "it just gets editors and publishers off journalists' backs so they can write the truth." But journalists aren't the only truth-tellers, and Indymedia is set up so that anyone can contribute. There are only two requirements: 1) Have something to say 2) Fill out the appropriate form and click on "publish." This instantaneous, self-publishing process is designed to collect and relay important information with more realism than rhetoric, and the vehicle is a tidy little Web site, www.idaho.indymedia.org, which is nicely organized and provides simple answers to any and all questions.
Orr, having worked on the Idaho IMC since its conception in February 2000, hopes it will bring the public together and provide a refreshing news alternative.
"IMC is the single best source of information out there," says Orr.
And with luck, it may hold other organizations to a higher standard.
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