Editorial Policy

Revised 5/25/09

Twin Cities Indymedia is an open-publishing website. The Editorial Policy is not designed to censor, but rather help maintain a community of mutual respect where all users can express themselves freely. To this end, the editorial collective reserves the right to 'hide' or delete content--events, articles, video, comments, or any other postings--that violate the site's mission.

The editorial collective may permanently delete:

1. Malicious code designed to hack the site or visitors

2. Spam, commercial messages, and repeat postings

The editorial collective may also 'hide' hateful and inflammatory content that stifles interaction by perpetuating oppression of marginalized groups.  This includes but is not limited to:

1. Content consisting of attacks on people's character or identity
2. Content "outing" an individual who has stated a wish not to be revealed by a particular identity.
3. Content that is blatantly counter to the TCIMC mission statement and the Indymedia Network principles of unity.

For this policy, the editorial collective will differentiate between public figures and other individuals, and will apply a higher standard when considering other individuals.  For example, a government informant, politician, or organizational spokesperson are public figures.  Merely being an activist does not make one a public figure.

"Hiding" content makes it viewable to the editorial collective only, preserving it for further discussion if necessary.  Users may use the contact form to inform the collective of any concerns about hidden content, and such concerns will be placed on the agenda for the next TCIMC open meeting if desired by the user.  If a member of the Editorial Collective hides content, they must make a note of its *specific* policy violation in its place.

When content does not violate the editorial policy, the editorial collective will only hide content upon request of the original author.

The editorial collective may on occasion edit "tags" and other post data fields, correct glaring typos, or make other edits not directly affecting the substance of content without notifying users.

The editorial collective will gladly consider any challenges to a specific editorial action or to the editorial policy, and hopes to engage in an ongoing dialogue with site users on the editorial policy as a whole. We would like to avoid authoritarianism at all costs. Use our feedback form if you have such a concern.

2/6/10: For a few resources on what we mean by "perpetuating oppression of marginalized groups," go here: http://tc.indymedia.org/page/anti-oppression