Liam,<br><br>All good points, especially about ensuring that we do not, inadvertently or otherwise, give the appearance of having any control whatsover with the operation of Wikipedia and Commons.<br><br>I would argue that "Free" in "Free Cultural Works" includes "freely accessible" and there is a legitimate role for the Chapter to lobby against this proposal should it choose to do so (as I think it should - this legislation is likely unworkable and, in any case, unfit for a free, open and democratic polity).<br>
<br>I am, of course, aware that alone the chapter has little chance of making any impact on the thinking of the Federal Government. However, that does not mean that there is nothing that we can do. Some suggestions<br><br>
<ul><li>We could work with our partners in the GLAM sector. I have some responsibility for setting policy for a small regional library service in NSW and, on the advice of the State Library of New South Wales, our library service adopted a formal policy of not filtering the public internet service (over the objections of the IT department). This was for both practical and philosophical reasons. Responsibility for ensuring that the public computers are not used to access unsuitable material lies with the users and/or their guardians. I would be surprised if the other State Libraries, Higher Education institutions are not opposed to Conroy's proposal - what are they doing and can we work with them,</li>
<li>Can/Should WMF make any submission etc. to the Fed. Government? I am aware this may be politically difficult for them, but this does have some ramifications for the use of Wikipedia etc. in Aust. (esp. if proxies become widely used).<br>
</li></ul>Neither of the above may be practical, but we may have other options.<br><br>Cheers,<br>Matt<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">2009/12/16 Liam Wyatt <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:liamwyatt@gmail.com">liamwyatt@gmail.com</a>></span><br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">Yes, indeed this is a good question and an important issue. <br>On a personal basis I am completely opposed to the filter and I imagine most Wikimedians in Australia are. <br>
However, I would caution that the Chapter cannot be seen in word or deed to be "responsible for" Wikipedia. <br>
This was a problem faced by Wikimedia UK in both the "virgin killer" and the National Portrait Gallery issues - the UK chapter was very careful not to place itself as the official spokesperson for Wikipedia. <br>
<br>Of course, the mandate of the Chapter is to advocate for Free Cultural Works and in that sense being involved in political lobbying is something that it can/could/should do. We have previously made a submission to a government inquiry for example. Making a statement about the filter or similar actions is within the chapter's powers. <br>
<br>But... in the event that Wikipedia were to become blocked or was "caught up" in some scandal around this issue, the Chapter can only describe what Wikipedia policies and practices are - it cannot be seen as responsible for the content and have a policy for how to make Wikipedia unblocked or what-have-you. <br>
<br>my 2 cents, <br>-Liam <br><br clear="all"><a href="http://wittylama.com/blog" target="_blank">wittylama.com/blog</a><br>Peace, love & metadata<div><div></div><div class="h5"><br>
<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 5:26 AM, Andrew <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:orderinchaos78@gmail.com" target="_blank">orderinchaos78@gmail.com</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
Matt, thanks - good question. As yet, no it doesn't have an official<br>
position - I have forwarded this to the committee list so one can be<br>
reached promptly.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
<font color="#888888">Andrew<br>
</font><div><br>
<br>
<br>
On 16/12/2009, Matt inbgn <<a href="mailto:mattinbgn@gmail.com" target="_blank">mattinbgn@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br>
> Hi all,<br>
><br>
> Does the chapter have a position on this<br>
</div><div>> proposal<<a href="http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115" target="_blank">http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115</a>><br>
> ?<br>
><br>
</div><div>> Should it have a position?<br>
><br>
> If it has a position, what should it be doing to advance that position?<br>
><br>
> Cheers,<br>
> Matt<br>
><br>
<br>
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