April 14, 2022

Navigating Anarchist Media in the Age of Social Media with It's Going Down

47 minutes

This episode of "The Poor Proles Almanac" features a conversation with members of the anarchist media collective "It's Going Down" (IGD). They discuss the evolution of anarchist media, the challenges of operating in a digital landscape dominated by social media, and the importance of grounding media projects in real-world action and community building.

Reflecting on a Decade of Anarchist Media

The conversation begins by tracing the origins of IGD back to the insurrectionist anarchist movement that gained prominence around a decade prior to the recording of the episode. The participants note that IGD emerged from a community of individuals who were actively involved in both direct action and media production, fostering a strong connection between the platform and the broader anarchist movement. They contrast this with other anarchist media models, such as open submission platforms where content is less curated or publications with a more static editorial process, highlighting IGD's unique position within the anarchist media ecosystem.

The Pitfalls of Social Media-First Organizing

A key theme of the discussion is the limitations of social media as a primary tool for organizing and building movements. The participants argue that social media can foster a sense of detachment and abstraction, leading to conversations that are more focused on theoretical debates and online identities than on concrete action and real-world relationships. They point to the proliferation of short-lived, social media-driven initiatives that often lack the depth and sustained engagement necessary for meaningful change.

The conversation critiques the tendency to prioritize the "aesthetics of the result" over the often tedious and unglamorous work of building relationships, organizing logistics, and engaging in sustained struggle. The participants emphasize that relying solely on social media to mobilize people for actions without the groundwork of community building and long-term organizing often leads to fleeting bursts of activity that dissipate quickly. They argue that the current generation of activists is confronting the limits of social media organizing, particularly in the wake of the George Floyd rebellion and the subsequent decline in street protests.

The Value of Localism and Grounded Action

The participants advocate for a shift away from social media-centric approaches towards a model that prioritizes localism, grounded action, and the cultivation of meaningful relationships outside of the digital realm. They highlight the importance of regional counter-information sites and media projects that are deeply embedded within specific communities, serving as hubs for information sharing, analysis, and the development of local strategies.

They suggest that these localized initiatives can provide the necessary context and material grounding for conversations about tactics, strategies, and political analysis, allowing for a more nuanced and effective approach to organizing. They also stress the importance of face-to-face interaction and offline relationship building, emphasizing that these connections form the bedrock of resilient and sustainable movements.

Building a Left Media Ecosystem: Beyond Social Media

The discussion then turns to the broader question of building a left media ecosystem that can effectively challenge the dominance of corporate media and reach wider audiences. The participants explore various strategies, such as breaking into mainstream media outlets, utilizing radio and alternative streaming platforms, and creating content that resonates with audiences who are disillusioned with both corporate media and the existing political establishment.

They acknowledge the challenges of competing with well-funded right-wing media networks that have mastered the art of manipulating algorithms and exploiting online platforms. However, they also highlight the unique strengths of radical media, particularly its ability to take uncompromising positions and speak truth to power without the constraints of corporate interests or the need to appease advertisers.

The Importance of Strategy and Sustainability

The participants emphasize the importance of approaching media projects with a clear strategic vision and a commitment to sustainability. They advise aspiring media creators to carefully consider their goals, their target audience, and the resources available to them before embarking on a new project. They encourage collaboration with existing initiatives and emphasize the need to focus efforts on projects that genuinely contribute to the broader strategic goals of the movement.

They also stress the need to develop independent infrastructure, such as self-hosted websites and servers, to avoid reliance on corporate platforms that can censor or de-platform radical content. They advocate for building capacity from the beginning, ensuring that projects can scale and adapt to changing circumstances without compromising their principles or their independence.

Embracing Multiplicity and Rejecting Absolutism

The conversation concludes with a reflection on the importance of embracing multiplicity and rejecting the search for absolute truths in both media projects and political organizing. The participants argue that the inherent diversity of perspectives and experiences within anarchist and leftist movements is a strength, not a weakness, and that the ability to engage with difference and navigate complexity is essential for building effective and resilient movements.

They caution against the pitfalls of social media discourse, which often encourages rigid thinking and a tendency towards absolutism, and instead advocate for a more fluid and adaptable approach that is grounded in the realities of local contexts and the ever-changing dynamics of social struggle. They emphasize that the goal is not to find a single, universal truth, but rather to create spaces for dialogue, experimentation, and the constant evolution of ideas and strategies.

The episode provides a nuanced and insightful perspective on the challenges and opportunities of building anarchist media in the age of social media. The conversation moves beyond simple critiques of online platforms and offers concrete suggestions for developing sustainable, impactful media projects that are grounded in real-world action, community building, and a commitment to embracing the multiplicity of perspectives within the broader anarchist movement.

You can find them on social media at @Itsgoingdown and their website is www.itsgoingdown.org

For sources, transcripts, and to read more about this subject, visit: www.agroecologies.org

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