What is the DC Independent Media Center?

The DC Independent Media Center (DC-IMC or DC Indymedia) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit group of media producers, working as part of an international network of Indymedia centers to provide a viable alternative to the corporate media's profit-driven agenda. Throughout the world, Indymedia is busting down the walls of conventional journalism by giving everybody the ability to become the media. The DC-IMC is dedicated to building media democracy and increasing community access to information and technology. The DC-IMC is a collaborative organization that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives and encourages all volunteers to share their skills and knowledge.

How to Get Involved

We do not currently have a public office. New people are always welcome. Click on the Meetings link in the left column of the website to find times and locations.

Much of the work of the DC-IMC is done within media working groups, which focus on different types of media (video, radio, tech, editorial). The best way to plug in is via one of the working groups. Information on the current activities of each working group, how to join their email lists, and how to contact each working group is listed below.

Publish

You can publish your own story, photos, video or audio clips on the newswire. We have an open-publishing newswire, so whatever you publish will show up immediately in the right column of the website. We especially encourage stories on local issues in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Post an article on the newswire.

Donate

The DC-IMC relies solely on donations and on money raised from small fundraisers. We need your help to obtain computer and media equipment and keep our website running. Please consider making a financial contribution (even small amounts help) or an in-kind donation of computer or media equipment. Make a donation.

General Contact Information

DC-IMC Email List
DC-IMC Announcement List (low-volume)
General contact email: dc@indymedia.org
Voice Mail: (202) 452-5936
Mailing Address: We do not have a postal mail address. Please email us if you need to make arrangements to mail something to us.

Working Groups

Audio Working Group:
Record and produce audio for distribution on FM radio or internet radio. Many audio group members are currently involved with the DC Radio Cooperative, which is producing a series of training sessions for people who want to learn the basics of community radio. This project is sponsored by WPFW. For more information, contact: dcaudio@indymedia.org.
DC Radio Cooperative Email List

Editorial Working Group:
Help coordinate coverage of issues and events and manage the content of the DC-IMC website. The editorial group decides which news is featured in the center column of the website. For more information, contact: imc-dc-editorial@indymedia.org.
Editorial Group Email List

Tech Working Group:
The tech working group maintains the DC Indymedia web page, as well as the servers and machines that are used by DC Indymedia. The tech group will also be assisting with some upcoming workshops that will teach various aspects of computer building, usage, and maintenance to the DC community. For more information, contact: imc-dc-tech@indymedia.org.
Tech Group Email List

Video Working Group:
Shoot and produce video covering a range of issues, from the local to the global. Videos are shown monthly at Visions and regularly on DCTV and ACT TV (Arlington) public access stations. Check the left column of the website for local programming. For more information, contact: imc-dc-video@indymedia.org.
Video Group Email List

Fundraising:
We hold periodic fundraisers so that we can pay rent and buy equipment and supplies needed to maintain our space and produce media.

Administration:
It's the nuts and bolts of indymedia. The DC-IMC needs people to help with organizational tasks such as grantwriting, bookkeeping, volunteer coordination, and database management. If you can help with any of these tasks, please email us at dc@indymedia.org.

Mission Statement

Following in the footsteps of thousands of other community media producers around the world, the DC Independent Media Center (DC-IMC) has formed to provide an outlet for video, audio, print and photographic work and collaboration. The DC-IMC is dedicated to building media democracy and increasing community access to technology and information. The DC-IMC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-based organization of independent media producers and investigative researchers, and operates in solidarity with an international network of independent media centers to create a viable alternative to the profit-driven agenda of the corporate media.

updated April 2005