The original #Indymedia network was a vibrant platform for decentralized grassroots media. It gave voice to those ignored by corporate media and built a culture of open publishing and collaboration. But over time it succumbed to both internal and external pressures.
Why reboot #Indymedia now? And how can we spread the understanding of why we need to do this. But, before we can revive the project, we need to face those failures honestly – and learn from them.
Why did Indymedia decline?
- Internal conflicts – tribalism, ego, and power politics fractured unity.
- Divergent visions – competing goals and methods led to fragmentation.
- External pressures – surveillance, repression, and legal harassment weakened the network.
- Technological change – rapid shifts in digital media outpaced Indymedia’s adaptability.
- Sustainability problems – financial and operational support was always fragile.
- Centralization vs. decentralization – endless tension between autonomy and coherence sapped energy.
These dynamics weren’t unique to Indymedia. They mirror the wider decline of radical alt-media in the face of #dotcons and the #deathcult of neoliberal “common sense.” So what is #IndymediaBack? It’s a project about rekindling what worked while composting what didn’t. It is rooted in the principles that once made Indymedia a powerful force:
- Trust-based publishing
- Do-ocracy
- Anti-authoritarianism
But this time, we pair those values with modern tools and lessons learned.
The role of #OMN framework is central to this reboot. It brings with it:
- Openness and collaboration
- Decentralization by design
- Checks against #fashionista hype, #geekproblem control, and #blocking behaviours
Objectives of the reboot:
- Re-establish open publishing flows – grassroots publishing, ensuring diverse voices are heard.
- Strengthen decentralized structures – prevent power concentration while empowering local autonomy.
- Implement modern standards – adopt protocols like #ActivityPub to improve functionality and widen news flows.
- Avoid past mistakes – use clear governance and messy consensus to counter tribalism and power politics.
- Promote sustainability – develop financial and operational models that keep the network alive long-term.
Strategies for Revival:
- Adopt a #NothingNew policy – stick to the original workflows and ethos, but update them to meet today’s realities.
- Build affinity groups – working groups to tackle specific issues and reach consensus on direction.
- Emphasize the #4opens – open source, open data, open standards, open processes — to guarantee transparency and inclusivity.
Expected Outcomes:
- A resilient and inclusive network of sites – decentralized and open, able to withstand pressures from within and without.
- Diverse, vibrant media content – a rich tapestry of perspectives beyond the mainstream.
- Sustainable operations – financial and organizational resilience to endure over time.
- Community-driven governance – messy consensus and grassroots decision-making, not top-down control.
Conclusion, this is not just about restoring what was lost. It is about composting the failures and growing something new, a living network that can adapt to future challenges while staying true to its radical, open, grassroots beginnings.
