Media center at the World Social Forum

Indymedia Center at the World Social Forum in Bamako (Mali) 2006

Project group
Indymedia is a global network of media activists whose grassroots reporting counters the dominance of media influenced by political and business interests.
www.indymedia.org.uk

Project description
In January 2006, the World Social Forum was mounted in three cities — Bamako (Mali), Caracas (Venezuela) and Karachi (Pakistan) — for the first time. It was the first time that a WSF was held on the African continent — an important step towards Nairobi (Kenya) hosting the WSF in 2007.

The international Indymedia Network established an Indymedia Center (IMC) in Bamako from which international media activists reported on the WSF. In addition, workshops covered independent journalism and common practices within the Indymedia Network. The IMC also served to network international media activists.

Activists from Mali and journalists from Togo were invited to participate in the IMC program in order to strengthen independent African media networks at the local, regional and continental levels. Unfortunately, two activists from South Africa could not be flown to Mali in time for the event because of scheduling conflicts. Since there was no Indymedia Network in Mali, the reports were published as special features on the IMC South Africa and IMC Marseille websites.

Enabling the media activists from Togo to participate in the IMC in Bamako, and thereby also in the WSF, was an important way to support them in their work towards political participation and self-determination in Togo. Free and independent journalism plays an important role in the struggle against the dictatorship in Togo.

Reports
WSF 2006 in Bamako
Short report with further links: www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/02/333428.html/
Interview with Indymedia activist: http://sheffield.indymedia.org.uk/media/2006/01//332068.mp3