Is it just me or is this newswire crap?

by By - God knows!!! Fri May 10, 2002 18:06 maureen at menta dot net Barcelona (34) 934511436

Hello everybody!!! I have been barred entering the Ireland.com......AFTER 18 MONTHS!!!! I have been trying for an hour to get into breaking news and up comes an announcement that it's not available!!! There are so many people trolling on the site and I have never given a bad word against anyone...Cheers

by C. Fri May 10, 2002 18:17

They are not serving us correctly.

I demand better quality of news for me to consume when I feel a bit right on, and I demand the delivery of this without me being required to understand any of the ethos, structure or purpose of Indymedia.

I also demand that the shite bulletin board in preparation is released immediately.

by Daithi Fri May 10, 2002 18:21

Yes. There is a problem with people who can't read basic editorial guidelines, and users who use the "add your comments" link to write about unrelated or sideline topics.

The solution is not heavy handed editing, it's creating more and better news. Also use the Indymedia Discussion Board for election arguments.

A lot of left-wing activists appear to think that they "own" Indymedia and that it's their in-house debating circle. No-one can stop them misunderstanding the international Indymedia mission, but at least the sensible and worthwhile contributors can become the dominant part of the site, rather than (as on some occasions) the drowned-out voice.

Join us on the editorial list (email [email protected] to subscribe) and discuss any issues you have there. The newswire itself's not the best place for discussing editorial policy as such discussions also contribute to the bunging up of the wire.

by anonymous contributer Fri May 10, 2002 18:32

The reason that was put on the Newswire wasn't as a criticism of Indymedia (I spend a lot of time on the other Indymedia sites), but to make the point to Indymedia Ireland -users-. I don't mean to point fingers at the staff.

The site is becoming worthless as a -news- site. As political debate, or as a space to mouth off in regards to whatever's bothering you that day, it's very effective.

But as a news resource?

by BTBT - SP Fri May 10, 2002 18:50

As more things happen it will be reported and the newswire will become just that. Its hard to report on protests all the time when they are not happening. In the meantime it is very good to have a discussion site. I am personally very very impressed with the site and think it will be very usefull. All involved have done an excellent job and its already taken the notice of the mainstream media.
Theres nothing wrong with political discussion as long as it doesn't develop into slagging matches. More disscussion boards and a more obvious link to them from the homepage could help.

by Niall Fri May 10, 2002 19:25

I think that Indymedia is great.
People can log on and express their feelings and ideas. Some folks complain about bitchin. Funny, these folks are usually from the SWP. If they don't want bitchin they can read their moronic tabloid. No bitchin there, just fabricated consensus. Do you remember the former SW journalist who told us that SW interviews are either made up or SWP members who are not identified as such? If that's the kind of press they love, I can understand why they don't like Indymedia. Indymedia is free and if people don't like freedom, then they should read something else. Well done indymedia. The front page is great. The reports by indymedia volunteers are brilliant. Thank you.

by Rose Fri May 10, 2002 20:03

I'm against censorship, but if we could ban SWP members from Indymedia, I would be in favour. They never say anything relevant. They just complain if people don't agree wioth their party line. Be careful indymedia, they will try to hijack the website.

by Phuq Hedd Sat May 11, 2002 00:49

If you're in favour of banning the SWP then you're pro-censorship.

I don't agree with banning them.

I think they have as much right to comment and post as anyone else. I think most of us feel that.

I don't agree with them posting entire election posts as opposed to summaries and links, it pisses me off when they put up a page or two of meandering rubbish.

But I reckon they reap the fruits of their labours amply.

No censorship.

by blisset Sat May 11, 2002 13:47

Whoever brought this up please get a life - no banning swp - some of them make good contributions to the site in terms of news stories and some of them have helped in getting it off the ground.

I have a lot of problems with their organisation myself but feel open debate is a better way forward on this than Bush-like unilateral gestures 'with -us or- against-us' style bullshit about banning people or organisations.

I speak with swp people all the time at events and demos and number some of them as friends. I'm not into categorising them just on the basis of the organisation of which they are a part. Personally I would like to see organisations not even involved in the 'left' on here debating issues.

by Harry Pollit Sat May 11, 2002 14:03

Personally I'd like to see the S.W.P. on here more, they don't seem to respond to people's criticisms at all (except 'Unity is Strength' 'Provocation' and other no answers).
As for taking over the site - I don't think they have much chance given that people have an automatic 'right to reply'.
I could see them ignoring this site altogether.
Too much debate, too much democracy.
The only people who should be censored off this site are trolls and neo-nazi nutters, and then only because it is very necessary to avoid senseless disruption.
S.W.P. please post more often, respond to people's points, argue your case.

by Darren Sun May 12, 2002 14:04 d.marcus at voila dot fr

one must know that SWP are troskyites and like many of those groups have the detestable habit of being sectarian. they still revere Marx and believe that his theories are scientific therefore that no opposition or criticism as it's so well proven. furthermore they laud trotsky who, not unlike his rival but on a smaller scale, was a mass murderer ( cf the sailors of
Kronstadt);