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Trash every camera !
ggsoliaktion - 25.01.2002 15:52
A critique of the attitude of Indymedia, other alternative media and individuals during the protests in Brussels (December 2001)
After participating in the protests against the EU-Summit in December 2001 in Brussels, we are still angry about how many photos and videos were made during the different demonstrations. Brussels was not the first time that we have noticed this (obviously its happened before, but not on such a large scale), so we hope that with this critique, we can start a discussion process which we feel is vital.
Trash every camera!
A critique of the attitude of Indymedia, other alternative media and individuals during the protests in Brussels (December 2001)
After participating in the protests against the EU-Summit in December 2001 in Brussels, we are still angry about how many photos and videos were made during the different demonstrations. Brussels was not the first time that we have noticed this (obviously its happened before, but not on such a large scale), so we hope that with this critique, we can start a discussion process which we feel is vital.
Actually there is (or was) in Germany (and from what we know, in many other countries as well) consensus to not use cameras and video-cameras on actions, demonstrations, etc. In Brussels, we were really shocked - on the right, on the left, in front of our faces, everywhere were cameraīs clicking, even during the anarchist demo on Saturday. At some points, people who had been taking pictures almost stopped protestors who were walking, just to take close-up shots of them. We have seen extremely absurd and ridiculous situations, when alternative, corporate (and police) media formed lines together, encircling places where direct actions (breaking windows,spraying,etc.) had been taking place. This still didnīt seem to be disturbing for anybody... WHY?!!
We tried to stop this stupid and dangerous photographing, or at least to push any kind of journalist out of demo, but of course there were too many of them... From so-called alternative media (for example Indymedia Germany) we heard idiotic statements, like "Photo and film materials are helping to legitimise our resistance". Such an attitude comes partially from a naive, deep faith in the "democratic" system ("we only need to REALLY explain our positions and theyīre going to be accepted" way of thinking) and partially from a self-censoring peacnik mentality ("anyway, we donīt wanna do anything illegal" - as said by those types for which anything more than distributing boring,reformist flyers "is not good for the movement"). Indymedia people with which we attempted to speak simply ignored our position or ensured us that they "know how to deal with material". As weīve seen after lots of pictures, in which faces are recognisable, have been published on-line and one guy from indymedia arrested with 6 rolls of film - thatīs definitely not the case. Itīs clear that police will use confiscated materials to criminalise activists. So, there is no reason to take photos or videos in which you can see (and when the cops want, they can recognize anybody from really bad quality pictures, better than her/his friends could) any demonstrators. Or is it that you maybe want to help the cops?
We hope that it is obvious, that pictures for the family/friends album, or taken to brag how cool the action was, is complete bullshit!
Even during seemingly "calm" situations, itīs possible that the mere presence of particular individuals (especially when she/he is already under repression due to her/his/ "illegal"/"foreigner" status, previous political activities or both), in a particular place (for example at a demo), around particular people could be, even after many years, used as evidence against her/him (or even their friends).
Weīve often been confronted with the argument that media presence serves as a kind of protection from police violence. But then again - documentation of ANY confrontations with the police forces is always a two-edged sword. When dealing with that material, one must be extremely cautious and think it through. And this kind of material should be offerered to persons concerned.
We heard an opinion, that photos are helping to mobilise people for the next action. We think itīs more of a growing tendency to consume "radicalism" on a computer screen. Is more actually being reported than done these days? And on Indymedia, photos (and stupid comments) are prevailing over good analysis and concepts for further struggle. Even if pictures are bringing more people to demonstrations, itīs still not an excuse to put people in danger. Publishing pictures also has the sad effect of giving on-scene newcomers the impression that filming on demos and actions is "something normal".
Weīve noticed ,that recently masses of people are prefering to become "media activists" rather than "activists". For any political protest, it seems really easy to get press-ID from Indymedia - It is irresponsible! We are not for some closed, elite spectrum of "radical journalists", but we do start questioning the whole Indymedia-crew (and its helpers), because we haven`t noticed any deeper discussion about the ideas of left radical media, its values and responsiblities.
Cops know that Indymedia people are much more accepted on demos than the mainstream press, so theyīre becoming easier and more valuable targets too. The police attack on the Indymedia Centre in Genua didnīt happened by accident... There, and in Gothenborg, theyīre still "working on materials", more and more repression is probably still to come and maybe itīs just luck that many, many more have not been arrested ...yet.
In general, there seems to be a tendency to mistake most media activism (which, when it is reduced to merely reporting only "radical" actions - which is in fact just a technical issue) for political activism (which actualises political processes). Itīs sad, but in current times, when so many people, in the left radical movement as well, donīt seem to have many political perspectives, many are grasping media activism just because they want to "do something". This process is a bit like capitulation, but it also shows a lack of concrete discussions on organising as well.
In the past, there werenīt so many pictures taken of actions and the repressive apparatus worked differently then as well. Surveillance is reaching deeper and deeper into our lives and we just hope that itīs still not too late for far-going discussion in the movement on how to fight it.
Basically, alternative radical media is necessary, but the responsibility that it bears is enormous. How many times have we already seen how some events get reported completely wrong, full of "positive" lies. What are the reasons for that?
Indymedia must confront itself with the fact that it is creating a situation where it seems that anybody can film/take photos without thinking about itīs (eventual) function, sense and danger. Till now, we havenīt found any signs of internal or external discussion about these problems, it is time to ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR RESPONSIBILTY!!!
Anyway, there is a lot of ways to make good radical creative and responsible political media without endangering any political activists (or only those that are consciously taking it into account)... - the pirate radio in Brussels has been one of the best recent examples.
All cameras will be trashed!
This is the final warning!
It is now 5 to 12°°!
 E-Mail: ggsoli@squat.net
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| Read more about: media vrijheid, repressie & mensenrechten | | supplements | | | wat een bullshit | Barry - 25.01.2002 16:29
Wat een bullshit. Misschien ziet de auteur van bovenstaande bijdrage media-activisme als een bedreiging, maar ik denk de meeste demonstranten in Brussel (waar ik zelf ook was) geen probleem had met (beeld-)journalistieke activiteiten. We waren er toch om gehoord en gezien te worden?
Je kan wel alle hoop op radiopiraten gooien, maar wil je echt iemand bereiken, kan je beter media als internet gebruiken. De foto´s die er gemaakt zijn, hebben weer veel mensen duidelijk gemaakt dat de anders-globalisatiebeweging breder is dan vaak gedacht. Bovendien geven media-activisten tenminste nog een beetje tegenwicht t.o.v. de hitsende main stream.
Onze camera´s zijn wapens, zoals onze pennen dat zijn. Daarom: poten af van camera´s en pennen. Als je niet gefilmd wilt worden, blijf dan thuis of trek een bivakmuts over je kop.
Cheers,
Barry
www.BATTL.nl
 Website: http://www.BATTL.nl
| | camera is your witness | against dogma - 25.01.2002 16:33
your attitude sux big time...as german tv-crew said ..it justifies your action...and some stoopid and dogmatic attitudes,like yours should be rooted out of the movement (whatever that movement is)...herr Stalin.
i agree to have a sift-thru videos and stuff...but the one who tries to stop filming will get boot where has never been before..
if you do not know how to demonstrate and behave on the streets..stay home and zap your TV..
| | He´s right in a way... | PPP - 25.01.2002 18:03
I can imagine his anger, indeed during the Brussels summit protest there were way too many cameras. You couldn´t walk anywhere without having a camera in your face. The comment "stay home or make yourself unregonizable" is bullshit, you´re not going to some protest to be annoyed by a bunch of yuppies that want total coverage.
I was at the IMC myself during the Brussels events, and it was full loaded with people that all wanted to make articles with pictures about 10 times the same. Next time, there should be much less presscards. That would be a lot better for both the protesters and Indymedia.
| | Donald Duck | AnarClown - 25.01.2002 19:05
If you don´t want your face on camera, just put on a MASK!!!
Or stay fucking home if you have something to hide and refuse to go incognito!!!
| | Every meathead will be trashed !!! | Wereldsurfer - 26.01.2002 11:26
By themselves, eg by writing such an article :-)
Unite, don´t polarize, that´s what they want.
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