Indymedia Journalist banned from Shannon

by Graham Wed Feb 05, 2003 18:26

I think that recent events are generally positive. The image of armed soldiers guarding US warplanes from peace protestors is a powerful one that may go world-wide yet, despite corporate media's adherence to the party line. The presence of soldiers certainly clarifies the issues.

And, while Eamonn being barred from Shannon is a real inconvienience for him, his court appearances and appeal are excellent publicity for Indymedia and the whole idea of independent and alternative journalism. Well done, Eamonn.

But the end of the peace camp is a real shame. Is it not possible to camp along the road on the way to the airport or something? Maybe on private land? After all, Shannon is the focus of the anti-war effort in Ireland. There should be a presence there, if only as an act of witness (and for the photographers, of course).

If, God forbid, the bombs start dropping then these issues will become even more intense. its not defeatism to prepare now for that possibility.

by Phuq Hedd Wed Feb 05, 2003 18:37

"Our" government is afraid to have its citizens see what goes on. Is the National Union of Journalists going to support Indymedia on this?

by Arrow Wed Feb 05, 2003 18:49

It is a bit of a joke to describe anybody connected with Indymedia as a journalist. Indymedia has become know for its censorship and racism. Comments on this site that criticise Indymedia are regularly removed. Neither does it act in accordance with NUJ rules. Don't insult proper journalists please!

by Head Wed Feb 05, 2003 19:43

Have to agree with Arrow. Indymedia has sabotaged its own integrity with its biased and propagandistic removal of postings which do not sit well with its agenda. Far from being the free and open site reflective of all the people of Ireland and an alternative to the mainstream, Indymedia Ireland has demonstrated time and again it is a willing refuge for nuts, fringe groups and people who make any real alternative and progressive movment look like real loons. It has a double standard, non transparent editing (even their "editors" do not know who is deleting things, when and why), and operates to a selfish agenda. Indymedia has let the side down greatly.

by Head Wed Feb 05, 2003 19:47

Is Eamonn Crudden a member of the NUJ? If he is he can ask them to take up his case. If he is not, why should they do a thing for him? The NUJ is there to protect journalists and Indymedia in many ways works to destroy them. Witness its attacks on other NUJ members such as the hated Brendan O'Connor, and the theft of material written by other journalists that gets posted here without compensation. Crudden I suspect was not at Shannon to write a story but there for his own politics; since when did journalists "become" the story and what happened to the ethics of journalism? They are not apparent on this site which is rife with censorship.

by Graham caswell - Various Wed Feb 05, 2003 20:21 caswell at indigo dot ie

I've been involved in Indymedia.ie since it started and I have never seen any sign of "biased and propagandistic removal of postings". On the few occasions (two, I think) when it wasn't clear who removed what and why the shit hit the fan on the email list. There is a hyper-sensitivity to this issue.

The bottom line is that, if you are concerned about editorial policy and its application then get involved. The next meeting is in the Ha'penny Inn on Sat. 15th at 12:00 noon and EVERYBODY is welcome. You might also like to SIGN UP to the editorial email list and CONTRIBUTE (see http://lists.indymedia.org/mailman/listinfo/imc-ireland-editorial ). If you have SUGGESTIONS as to how IMC Ireland's can be more transparent then please share them. Better yet, help implement them too.

Indymedia is indeed a "willing refuge for nuts, fringe groups". That's the point. Loopers from fringe goups like the Green Party, Sinn Fein and even Labour post and use Indymedia, as do loons from all sorts of NGOs and activist groups. Long may it continue. I suppose by "the people who make a real alternative and progressive movment" you're referring to the PDs.

By the way, are you suggesting that people shouldn't 'attack' (I think the word you're looking for is 'respond') Brendan O'Connor because he's a NUJ member (if, indeed, he is)? One big happy journalistic family, eh, ;) - all part of the same club.

What happened to the ethics of journalism was career paths, advertising revenue and celebrity culture. With the exception of accidents and natural disasters journalists are ALWAYS the story and the world is stage-managed for them. The fact that Indymedia journalists don't buy into that lie is to their credit.

Indymedia is what YOU make it, and if you are stuck in consumer mode sitting at your PC contributing nothing but criticism then, well, we'll keep it going and make it better despite you.

After all, the bottom line is that you read it, don't you.

by Phuq Hedd Wed Feb 05, 2003 20:47

Is it possible that Brendan doesn't have any?

Apart from all of that the reason that the NUJ would be interested in this is that they believe in freedom of information and an absence of censorship. The stipulation that Eamonn get permission from Aer Rianta sets a very dangerous precedent for journalists that it is in all our interests to defy.

by Irish American Wed Feb 05, 2003 22:00

After all, I did post my own report of a visit to Shannon.

by - Wed Feb 05, 2003 22:28

;-) respect dude!

by C. Wed Feb 05, 2003 23:25

NUJ is a trade union. It has a rule that members must earn a certain percentage of their income from journalism. Indymedia is a voluntary effort by people who, as far as i know, do not meet this qualification.

I don't think the rule is a bad thing. I also think that it is a good thing that nobodys wage packet depends on indymedia. This means that, in a world where you are what you are paid for, people who contribute to indymedia are not journalists.

But the slogan is Be the Media. And maybe the ability to be defined by more than money is a good thing.

Since last June Indymedia has been carrying reports of dodgy goings on in Shannon. We saw pictures that were finally picked up 3 months later by the paid for, card carrying media. We had the laws explained to us that caused the government to suddenly approve 19 flights - and ignore the evidence until people were laughing at them.

I think this country owes a thanks to people like Tim Hourigan and Eamonn Crudden who've been telling this story, first here, and now in all the media. But they don't get thanked - they have to go to court and get told to keep away - move on - nothing to see hear. This is a state that is sending in the troops to protect foreign planes from it's own people. It's making one set of rules for the journalists who get paid and can be relied on to say the right thing - another for those who who write and film and stand with binolculars for months on end just because the story should be told.

So maybe it's the trade union which should have a look at it's rule. And i reckon Irish American can be an indymedia journalist - unless of course he gets paid to post here, in which case he's a real journalist - sort of like the real politicians: bought and paid for.

by non party Thu Feb 06, 2003 01:32

C. is right it is the end of the road for Irish democracy. Graham is also right some presence should be maintained at Shannon, but why does the green party with all its resources or Sinn Fein, or the SWP or even the Sp do this? If they were serious they would.

by redJaDe Thu Feb 06, 2003 14:17

if people do not like how Indymedia.ie is being run, they can come to meetings and join the mailing lists. (notice the links to your left - 'mailing lists')

It is as simple as that, Indymedia.ie is an open organisation.

The editorial list has the right to edit/delete - or censor - but I believe we do it sparingly.

I've had my disagreements with some deletions, but the point is that the decission process is open and all can participate.

The debate can, at times, get intense and nuanced, but we debate openly and honestly. But we are not a perfect organisation, humans rarely are.

I have noticed one thing, those who scream 'censorship' the most are usually those who participate the least.

by IMCer Thu Feb 06, 2003 15:02

They can ban Eamon from shannon, but they will not be able to hide the truth.
With Eamon gone Iam sure another will take his place, etc etc.
They have reveiled there true colours
Only History will Judge

by bob Thu Feb 06, 2003 15:08

Irish American
No you are not an Indymedia Journalist, you are a sad individual (or pig) with nothing more productive to say than reactionary ill thoughtout rubbish. If you think you are annoying us you are wrong, you only go to prove our point!

Free Speech is always the first to go in a Dictatorship, Watch it...

by son of sam - I LOVE IMC IRELAND Thu Feb 06, 2003 15:20

Dont even wast your time with the NUJ, thay will not help if you dont pay them money (membership fees)
They care nothing for Freedom of Speech and Rights of the media.
The NUJ is the problem, they have allowed a situation to develop where Journalists are arrested and harrased. the NUJ has a cosy relationship with FF, nuff said.
The NUJ is why we NEED INDYMEDIA
As for those who say INDYMEDIA IS DEAD how come you are still posting on the site then????
Indymedia is an invaluable resourse to those Irish outside Ireland, In the Country, where it is hard to go to meetings etc.
If nothing it allows people a chance to activley partisapate in the media.
Dont like IMC Ireland, then go set up your own Media Network or pay your monthley bill and surf the IRISH TIMES SITE

DONT HATE THE MEDIA - BE THE MEDIA

Keep up the great work IMCers - always room for improvment - keep the debate going.

by Phuq Hedd Thu Feb 06, 2003 17:03

Is your post about "indymedia.ie" directed to me or to someone else? The "censorship" that I'm talking about is the censorship inflicted upon indymedia journalists by the government.

by conor (wsm personal capacity) Thu Feb 06, 2003 17:11

c: I think this country owes a thanks to people like Tim Hourigan and Eamonn Crudden who've been telling this story, first here, and now in all the media.

here here
what they (eg indymedia) do is REAL journalism
- most of the professional hacks have being robbing coverage un-acknowledged from this site for a year anyhow
- respect is due to everyone at indy media for making it possible - the looneys on this site have only their own demented personalities to blame!

Conor