Feature Archives

Just months after the launch of the US Indymedia website came the IndyConference 2005. The conference was held in Austin, Texas from February 18th-20th, 2005. IndyConference seeks to "bring together Indymedia activists from across the continent to discuss our progress as a media democracy movement, as well as look at ways we can improve our content and effectiveness as a radical media network. As a collaborative and participatory media project, we see the need to come together and form new directions for our movement. This conference is meant to be both a celebration and introspection of our work as media activists and our methods...We still have many challenges to overcome if we are to truly be a viable and sustainable radical media network..." Announcement Report on Indymedia.org

Episode 9 of StreetLevel TV came to the Bay Area on Friday, January 7th. StreetLevel TV is a monthly, independent, local news and current events show, produced by the women of Radical Transmissions, and airing in San Francisco on Channel 29 and Berkeley on Channel 28. They screen monthly at Artist's Television Access in San Francisco.
This month's screening gave a post-election tally and coverage on Votergate, in addition to a profile of local domestic workers and a look at the current controversy surrounding the programming changes and firings at the Castro Theater. A pre-screening announcement said, "Look for trailers from upcoming independent films, along with coverage of your local supervisors, coverage of the anti-war movement, music and witty commentary - they try, at least."
Contact: show@videoactivism.org for more information on how to get involved.

Four Indybay photographers- Matt Fitt, Peter Maiden, Charles Slay, and Eric Wagner- are showing their work in a joint exposition at the Balazo Gallery in San Francisco, from December 27th, 2004 to January 12th, 2005.

The pictures, which these volunteer photographers posted as news to Indybay, will be displayed as objects of art. The gallery is located at 2811 Mission Street, at the corner with 24th Street, in San Francisco.

There was a closing party on Friday, January 7th. Music at the party was played by Salinas-based band Rum and Rebellion. More info | Photos | Photos from the January 7th Party

Encryption is the manipulation of a file to make it unintelligible to all but those for whom the data is intended. Financial institutions use encryption to increase the security of data transmitted via the Internet, but it can also be used by reporters, activists, and others concerned about who might be reading the contents of their files or e-mails. Now your local Indymedia tech collective and the Midnight Special Law Collective are teaming up to offer media activists a free skillshare: learn how to use encryption tools and other techniques to protect your e-mail and data from prying eyes or forgery; how encryption works; what legal rights you—and the government—have; recent legal developments; and why you need to protect yourself. Monday, December 6th, 6 p.m., at the Creamery, New College, 780 Valencia St, SF. Details

Street Level TV, a television show covering local and international issues, community news and events with an emphasis on social justice, begins its monthly screenings at Artists' Television Access this Thursday, Dec. 2nd. SLTV airs on San Francisco Cable channel 29 (first Saturday at 9 p.m. every month) and on Berkeley Community Media channel 28 (second and third week of the month, Thursday at 9 a.m., Friday at 11 p.m., and Saturday 4 p.m.). Hang out with the producers and catch the show if you don't have cable at the new monthly screenings. 8 p.m. at ATA, 992 Valencia St, SF; $5 donation.

Critical Mass Radio Network (CMRN) is a decentralized network of independent community radio stations producing a coordinated broadcast on the last Friday of every month. CMRN's initial broadcast took place on August 27, 2004 in anticipation of the Republican National Convention in New York. Participating stations are located in the cities of Los Angeles, New York, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz; in addition, other stations across the country have been relaying the signal. According to the CMRN website, "In matters of war and peace, poverty and hunger, homelessness, health care, justice and your mama's pumpkin pie, we can have a voice that circumvents the sound bites of the powerful; such direct participation in our future is clearly necessary for survival." The San Francisco broadcast, originating from Enemy Combatant Radio, is relayed by a number of low-power FM stations including Pirate Cat Radio 87.9 FM and Radio Free Radio 104.9 FM. Listen to excerpts from the broadcast

In July 2003 Sinan Antoon, an exiled Iraqi writer and poet, returned to Baghdad to see what has become of his city after wars, sanctions, decades of oppression and violence, and now occupation. Antoon takes us on a journey exploring what Iraqis think and feel about the post-war situation and the complex relationship between the US and Iraq.

About Baghdad is a journey into the hearts and minds of the hundreds of Iraqis we encountered in Baghdad. In the simmering heat of Baghdad's summer, Iraqis, of various ethnic and political backgrounds and orientations, speak of past horrors and present fears.

Reflections on the traumatic legacy of dictatorship, sanctions and war, also reflect the resilience and humanity of a people who were, for decades, dehumanized and disappeared behind Saddam's image. From poets to politicians, cabbies to communists, a retired senior citizen to an American soldier at Bremmer's headquarters, About Baghdad navigates the dire, and often misunderstood and misrepresented, straits separating, yet involving, both Iraqis and Americans.

Special benefit screening for the SF Bay Area Independent Media Center. Sunday, November 21st at 7:30 pm. $5-10 donation. At Station 40, 3030b 16th St, SF, directly across from 16th & Mission BART station.