[PEN-L:4705] Re: International Catalogue initiative by 'Anti' magazine

[D Shniad <shniad@xxxxxx>]

> Subject: International Catalogue initiative by 'Anti' magazine
> Date: 15 Jun 1996 11:00:49
> From: Anti magazine <anti@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: International Catalogue initiative by 'Anti' magazine
>
> *****************************************************************************
> The following is the general letter, page of endorsements and form
> regarding the Greek magazine 'Anti''s International Catalogue for wide
> Left publications and organizations. Please
> return the completed form to us as soon as possible.
> *******************************************************************************
>
> Dear friends,
>
> As we enter the "age of information", we have two developments which
> hold major implication for all of our future. First is the rapid
> globalization of the Free Market and Corporate Media, second is the
> information technological revolution as specifically manifest in
> INTERNET.
>
> As regards the fact of Corporate Media monopolization, the implications
> are clear to all of us. More ambiguous is the path that the relatively
> newly established INTERNET will proceed to take. Although INERNET
> potentially allows for an international and truly democratic
> interchange, it simultaneously meets with serious shortcomings: not only
> is this technology financially limited to relatively few hands (and
> those largely within the industrially developed countries) but also
> INTERNET is under serious threat (via, for one example, the proposed
> Global Information Infrastructure) of future corporate control both
> through privatization and legal measures to impose a  restriction of
> information. Thus it is imperative that the wide Left both participate
> in the INTERNET dialogue whilst simultaneously trying to develop, if at
> all possible, an alternative global network.
>
> In any case, both of these developments share one inevitable result: the
> Small Press finds itself already on the periphery and is, in many cases,
> struggling to survive. That the continued existence of the Small Press
> is not merely desirable but is critical as a democratic voice is
> obvious. That the existence of INTERNET - far from rendering the Small
> Press obsolete - actually necessitates an alternative network of the
> Small Press is obvious. That such an alternative network be
> international is not simple appropriate but is of urgent necessity is
> equally clear.
>
> For the above stated reasons, we have decided, with the help of friends
> and colleagues here and abroad, to put together and to distribute to all
> participants a catalogue of wide Left organizations and publications
> which - despite differences in approach - hold common concerns regarding
> our respective societies and the planet that we all share. In addition
> to creating a balance to both the global Corporate Media and INTERNET,
> we believe that such an international network will help us to
> specifically address the following issues:
>
> 1)  The dangerous rising of chauvinism expresses itself at every level:
> national, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual, cultural - all of which
> clearly serves political and economic ambitions, and which cannot be
> overcome except by means of a wide solidarity within the international
> community.
>
> 2)  Under the expanding monopolization of Corporate Media, the very
> existence of the Small Press is threatened. In addition to the fact of
> Mass Media political and cultural impact, very simply without a Small
> Press there can be no democracy.
>
> 3)  Due to the very nature of the Small Press, few of us are able to
> function transnationally. We have been obliged, therefore, to largely
> interpret foreign events and concerns via the Corporate Media. The
> natural result is an unacceptable degree of ignorance and
> misinformation.
>
> 4)  We hope in directly receiving articles from one another that we can
> overcome the above stated  deficiency. In view of the financial
> difficulties that the Small Press generally faces, we hope to work in a
> solidarity which will, for example, without obligation send/exchange
> articles without payment.
>
> 5)  The complex political, economic and cultural interrelationships of
> our respective societies cannot be correctly understood except through a
> regular intercommunication of information and ideas. For only one
> example, it is now generally acknowledged that we are confronting an
> ecological crisis that can no longer be ignored. As ecological strategy
> is mapped out on a global scale, global communications on ecological
> matters is essential.
>
> 6)  In general addition, it is hoped that such a catalogue network will
> facilitate the more effective organization of projects, meetings,
> seminars symposia etc. concerning the issues we share.
>
> 7)  Having ourselv4es all too recently suffered under dictatorship, we
> are well aware that many governments do not allow the basic democratic
> conditions for our friends to function openly. We plan, therefore, to
> make mention of specific cases where these human rights are being
> violated, and we would like to be informed of ones we may have
> overlooked so that all of us in solidarity may be better informed on
> this fact.
>
> It is with regret that we are obliged to limit ourselves to one language
> in the catalogue, and we have chosen the English language as it is the
> most internationally familiar.
>
> * Attached to this letter you will find a description of the catalogue's
> practical format, a few words about the  magazine 'Anti' which is taking
> this initiative, a page of endorsements, and the form to be completed
> and returned to us as soon as possible.
>
> * Any ideas or suggestions that you can offer us would be very welcome
> in the spirit of solidarity. If, however, you oppose this project or do
> not wish to participate, we ask you to inform us of the reasons.
>
> * In view of the dimensions of this project, we would greatly appreciate
> any help in locating and contacting potential participants. It would
> must assist us if you would be able to send us a list of organizations
> and publications known to you and which may be unknown to us or that we
> may have overlooked.
>
> Due to our efforts to minimize the enormous postal expenses, please
> excuse us for not sending a personal acknowledgment on receipt of your
> completed form. As regards financing this project, we are hoping for
> donations.
>
> We hope that you share our enthusiasm for this project, and send you
> greetings.
>
>
> Christos G. Papoutsakis
> Editor.
>
> "Anti" magazine
> 60 Dimoharous Str.
> 115 21 Athens
> GREECE
> Tel.:+30-1-7232713
> FAX: +30-1-7226107
> E-mail: anti@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> =========================================================================
>
>
> Practical Format
> --------------------
> 1)  All organizations and publications of the wide Left are welcome in
> solidarity.
>
> 2)  The catalogue will be printed in the English language.
>
> 3)  The catalogue will be organized in two sections: the first by
> country alphabetically, and the second section be category
> (organization, organizational publication, independent publication,
> political, cultural, literary, human rights, peace movement,
> environmental, minority, other) in reference number. Participants are
> invited to enter themselves into as many categories as they see
> appropriate.
>
> 4)  Participants are asked  to return the attached form completed (as
> soon as possible) including the self-characterizing description as they
> wish to, which will be printed in the catalogue verbatim.
>
> 5)  After compilation and printing (which we hope to complete by Spring
> 1996), each participant will be mailed a copy of the catalogue.
>
> 6)  The catalogue will be annually updated to accommodate any changes in
> information and to welcome new participants.              .
>
> ==========================================================================
> A few words about 'Anti' magazine
> -----------------------------------------------
> 'Anti' magazine first appeared in May 1972, during the dictatorship, and
> was closed down by the Colonels. In September 1974, when the
> dictatorship collapsed, it reappeared and has been operating since then
> fortnightly;  it has established a high reputation in the country as an
> independent form for open discussion between different sections of the
> Greek Left and Democratic forces.
>
> 'Anti' has produced special reports (the democratization of the Greek
> Army, neo-fascism in Greece, an ecological campaign for 'Eleonas' and
> the 'Park of Freedom', exposing the Koskotas scandal, Balkan issues, the
> condition of the Greek press and mass-media in general, etc.) We have
> held three 'Anti' cultural festivals (1981, 1989, 1996).
>
> In October 1995, in co-operation with the 'Goethe Institute Athens', we
> held an international symposium on 'Mass Media - Towards the Information
> Society. The European Dimension'.
>
> 'Anti' is printed in the Greek language.
>
>
> =========================================================================
> Endorsements.
>
> I am very happy to join this indispensable action.
> -Samir Amin
>
> The project which you describe there does indeed seem to be a most
> useful one and we are happy to join it as sponsors.
> -Robin Blackburn, editor 'New Left Review'
>
> I was very pleased to learn of the plans for a Small Press catalogue. It
> is sure to be a valuable resource for people and organizations committed
> to resisting and reversing the forces of centralization  and control
> that are casting their ominous shadow over every aspect of social and
> cultural life.
> -Noam Chomsky
>
> Quelle que soit l'irresistible necessite, et parfois les chances
> politiques du developpement des nouvelles technologies de l'information
> et de ce qu'on appelle leur "mondialisation", il importe d'etre plus
> vigilant que jamais devant les menaces d'appropriation, de
> monopolisation et de concentration que ces progres peuvent aussi
> comporter.  Une nouvelle culture "de gauche" doit inventer les moyens de
> resister aux menaces d'un tel  "marche".
> -Jacques Derrida
>
> The world is awash with information but I'm not sure we are, as yet, the
> better for it. There is an urgent need to resist the pressure of
> monopolies and to support the truly democratic media in transitional
> democracies so that diversity is preserved and government propaganda
> weakened. 'Anti''s initiative to harness information for these purposes
> and to facilitate genuine information sharing is one I wholly endorse
> and will support in any way I can.
> -Frances D'Souza, Executive Director 'Article 19'
>
> Yes. It's a great idea. Very useful, badly needed.
> -Jonathan Kozol
>
> We thank the organizers of this most important effort to develop an
> international catalogue. Considering the absence of a compilation of
> Left references on an international scale, an independent guide to
> publications dealing with ideas of democracy and socialism is especially
> timely.
> -Charlene Mitchell, Committees of Correspondence
>
> With ever-diminishing independent news sources to provide more than just
> formulaic, conventional journalism, Greenpeace supports the efforts
> of magazines like 'Anti' to free up communications and allow alternative
> voices and ideas to still be heard.
> -Blair Palese, Chief Press Officer, Greenpeace International
>
> It is essential that the left stays alive and resolute and together.
> This is a project of the greatest importance.
> -Harold Pinter
>
> -Authorized support of Marion Stefanou Sarafi (widow of General Stefanos
> Sarafis)
>
> I am in full sympathy with your project and wish it all success.
> -Paul M. Sweezy, editor 'Monthly Review'
>
> Anyone who cares about human rights is pro 'Anti' which now has a chance
> of competing with the Corporate Media, using the Internet as a - no, not
> highway but cardio-vascular system in which injections of reality might
> make us, if not well, better.
> -Gore Vidal
>
> A brave effort and I hope it succeeds.
> -Michael Young
>
>
> =========================================================================
>
> =====
> FORM
> =====
>
> Title of publication:
>
>
> Organization, political party, independent (specify):
>
>
> Name of editor:
>
>
> Frequency of publication (daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly,
> etc.):
>
>
> Publication format (newspaper, magazine, bulletin, newsletter, other but
> specify):
>
>
> Address (title, building, road, city, code number, country):
>
>
> Telephone, Fax, Telex, E-mail
>
>
> Category of Publication (check as many as appropriate):
>
> [  ]    Organizational
>
> [  ]    Independent
>
> [  ]    Political
>
> [  ]    Economic
>
> [  ]    Cultural
>
> [  ]    Literary
>
> [  ]    Human Rights
>
> [  ]    Ecological
>
> [  ]    Labor
>
> [  ]    Peace Movement
>
> [  ]    Minority (specify)
>
> [  ]    Humoristic
>
> [  ]    Other (specify)
>
> Please add self-characterizing description of organization/publication
> (about 100 words)
>
>
>      --- from list aut-op-sy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx ---
>
>
> --
> Brian Green
> Dept. of Spanish and Latin American Studies
> Simon Fraser University
> Burnaby, B.C. V5A 1S6
> Canada
> ------------
> E-Mail: greend@xxxxxx
>