Joining forces on a UK-wide publication (was AF/Platformist split)
Jun 21 2008 08:28
#122
Ta, the idea of giving people a section of their own is both to underline that they'll genuinely be able to say what they want and have a space which they can point their members/interested people to specifically - more a position of compromise than anything else, as they're being asked to give up their in-house stuff. I agree that there's a chance that people would end up just doing a fifth of the work they did before and still get crap copy in, but as this will be them putting their best work forward, it's to be hoped they'd take a bit of pride in it.
Plus it's not like the different sections would be completely separate, if all copy is being circulated among the editors there's likely to be comment and debate flying around - it's a bunch of anarchists after all...
Jun 22 2008 12:22
#123
georgestapleton wrote:
I think this is a good idea over all. And when I move to England I'll be arguing in the yet-to-be-launched-new-org that we should commit ourselves to Freedom and Black Flag so I do think this is a good idea. However....I don't think what you've laid out as a problem is the real problem.
I've only just started reading the thread so don't know where the discussions gone, but I think people have to be wary of the amount of time dedicated to print publications. They are massive hog of resources and only have a limited reach, admittedly this could be changed by a number of federations working together, and I think it would be worth doing, but they need to have a decent web presence. With libcom we have more people visiting the site in a day than read Freedom in a year.
Jun 22 2008 13:53
#124
But there is a massive qualitative difference between print media and online media. There has been an internal discussion document about this criculated in the WSM recently. I can PM you the relevant bit if you want.
Jun 22 2008 14:33
#125
absolutely agree with GS. I was at a local meeting the other night about our Post Office closing. Hardly anyone there had the internet - all older working class people.
Jun 22 2008 15:20
#126
georgestapleton wrote:
But there is a massive qualitative difference between print media and online media. There has been an internal discussion document about this criculated in the WSM recently. I can PM you the relevant bit if you want.
I'd agree with that, and would be interested in seeing the document. I just think it's worth considering the amount of effort put into producing a print publication it takes a lot more work for a far lower readership. Clearly print's still necessary and always will be, but it should be produced in a way that puts as little strain on the organisations doing it as possible.
Jun 22 2008 15:58
#127
Yeah, I think it should be both...maybe with a dedicated site offering extras, links and add-ons to make more of a resource.
Internet - million types cheaper, more easily interactive and reaches a wider audience (albeit with a different demographic as Knightrose says)
Print copies - completely necessary, should involve regular large-scale distro.s wherever the groups are properly active.
It could work like Dispatches with it being possible for people to print it off themselves as well; if there was as a black and white version and not too many pages. If all groups seriously contributed in terms of content and funding this would be possible. We shouldn't be worried about getting money back from it but as something worthwhile in itself.
Jun 22 2008 16:35
#128
Volin wrote:
Yeah, I think it should be both...maybe with a dedicated site offering extras, links and add-ons to make more of a resource.Internet - million types cheaper, more easily interactive and reaches a wider audience (albeit with a different demographic as Knightrose says)
Print copies - completely necessary, should involve regular large-scale distro.s wherever the groups are properly active.
I'd agree with all this.
Volin wrote:
It could work like Dispatches with it being possible for people to print it off themselves as well; if there was as a black and white version and not too many pages.
I don't think this is a good idea - it will end up being hard to read on screen and people won't bother. It would be much better to have a properly laid out online version along the lines of Rojo y Negro. I look at Rojo y Negro but I usually don't bother to look at CNT - which is only available as a pdf download making it awkward to read.
Jun 23 2008 09:57
#129
Interesting discussion.
I liker the idea of a best-of-annual publication put together by board of editors with a seat for each feds (and possibily regional and other groups) so they can argue their corner. A best-of compilation (book perhaps) should be def be a "best-of" and not just filled on a quota basis.
Ideally it would also run a section of translated materials from other languages and from other english language publications outside the uk. Some unique content might help sell it.
Anything more regular needs to discuss question of money and power and organisation. If it's a regular publication it needs subscriptions, it needs a treasurer, it needs accountability, it needs openness so everyone can see its being run above board and no clique is taking it over. It needs someone who can be bothered to cash the cheques when they are sent in, rather than have them sit in a PO Box for months. It needs people to handle correspondence. It needs to be sent out to subscribers when it's published and not 4 months later. If you can't manage that then any other discussion is academic.
Jun 24 2008 13:29
#130
A few questions ...
What was the print print run of current issue #227, and last #226 issue?
How many subscribers are there (individuals & libraries).
How many went to bookshops/resellers?
How many of #226 were sold at London bookfair and how many since (obviously too soon to say for current issue)?
Jun 24 2008 13:41
#131
Not sure, but why d'you want to know?
If it's to argue that Black Flag is too small to be calling for this initiative, then don't. It's not the size which makes Black Flag the most likely candidate, it's the combination of independence, focus on class struggle and non-sectarian attitude. We've got one member in the AF, one in Solfed, which means we can make the proposals to conference. What we stand to gain from as a movement is distribution, outlets, secure funding and an expanded readership including people from both Feds and indpendents, because none of us really has this at the moment.
Jun 24 2008 14:26
#132
All UK anarchist mags have small print runs and limited distribution. I am just interested and I think other members will also be interested to know once we discuss this as an org. Also we could all probably learn a lot about ideas to improve the situation all round.
Jun 24 2008 14:35
#133
Okay fair enough as I say I'm not sure of the numbers personally, anarcho would probably be the guy to ask.
Jun 24 2008 17:05
#134
Can I emphasise that if this is to be discussed at our next NDM we need some correspondence from the BF editors before this weekend! We can't do much on the basis of a discussion on Libcom.
Most of that is good, for now i just i pm'd you my main objection. Plus i dont really think the idea of each organisation having its ''own section'' is likely to be productive either, especially if organisations are going to be sticking freesheets inside a number of copies, it would be better if content is simply judged on its quality by the board of editors rather than each federation feeling obliged to fill up 8 pages, Afterall its the obligation on small organisations to fill up x amount of space evrry few months that is the key drawback to the current publications being produced, i see no need to replicate that scenario.