So you're suggesting IndyMedia "impact" is low or weak, because the share of IndyMedia readers is low among all "converted" readers which is a subset of all readers? That is an extraordinary claim. To what other "alternative news agency" does one compare IndyMedia exposure? I hope not Technocrati or Digg clients' sitemeter counters --confirming the overwhelming tendancy of blog operators to reproduce MSM stories.

On the other hand, are you saying "market penetration" measures the number of  reporters (and "stringers") assigned to a particular geographic market? If so, my understanding is that the Independent Media Center (IndyMedia) franchise operates regional servers worldwide to collect and broadcast news files submitted by volunteer reporters, commentators, and translators. Could one reasonably argue "low impact," or thin coverage of local, regional, worldwide events if the total numbers of volunteers is unknown?

Diversity is the key to economic and political evolution.