Dear Esteemed Wikimedians,
We at DCW trust this message finds you in good health and high spirits.
Your unwavering commitment to the Wikimedia movement has played a pivotal
role in shaping the world of open knowledge sharing, and for that, we
extend our heartfelt gratitude.
We are thrilled to extend a special invitation to you to participate in the
"Wikimedia Leadership Development and Skills Enhancement Survey." This
survey has been meticulously crafted to gather your valuable insights and
experiences regarding leadership development and skills infrastructure
within our community.
Survey Details:
Title: Wikimedia Leadership Development and Skills Enhancement Survey
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes.
Purpose: Your input will be instrumental in guiding our efforts to better
support and empower Wikimedians in their leadership journeys.
How to Participate:
Click on the survey link
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdv5ycHRfaod6wbj8zvhIfwO8Mq0pALeBC…>
here
to access the questionnaire.
Thoughtfully and candidly complete the survey by 5th October 2023. Rest
assured that your responses will be held in strict confidence and used
exclusively for research
purposes.
By participating in this survey, you become an integral part of the ongoing
evolution of leadership development and skills enrichment within the
Wikimedia movement and of DCW's ongoing project for the same. Your voice
matters, and your perspectives are essential.
We deeply appreciate your dedication to the Wikimedia community and your
willingness to help us continue to grow and thrive. Your insights will
directly impact the future direction of our project and movement.
Thank you for your time, commitment, and passion for open knowledge
sharing. We eagerly anticipate your participation in the survey.
Warm regards,
Affaf Nasir
Affaf(DCW).
Email address – affaf(a)dcwwiki.org
Hi all!
Brussels business picked up very, very quickly in September and it is full
steam ahead for regulations on media freedom while the regulation on
fighting sexual abuse material online is in a decisive phase. We are
approaching the end of the legislative term, after all. Simultaneously,
France is causing headaches for everyone. Zut !
Dimi & Michele
=== EMFA ===
The European Union is working on a law that is intended to boost media and
journalistic freedom
<https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5504> across
the bloc. It is a bag of very versatile measures that are intended to help
a pluralistic media landscape. Things like rules on government spending on
public service announcements and enshrining the protection of sources at
the EU level. For Wikimedia this law is relevant, because it also wants to
limit how online platforms moderate content by media providers, who can be
media outlets but also individuals, such as journalists.
—
We are talking about Article 17 of the proposed law, which would require
online platforms to warn media providers ahead of moderating their content
and to give them a fast-track channel to contest decisions. Some lawmakers
even suggest that online platforms be prohibited from deleting content by
media providers before the provider has had a chance to reply. All this is
highly problematic, seeing that disinformation is sometimes produced
bymedia providers. Luckily for us, Wikimedia projects are exempt from this
provision in the Commission proposal and in the general approach taken by
Council
<https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kjamCk9YTROvUH6AAbhJHPvsNqNJVs_9/view?usp=…>
.
—
The European Parliament, in one of its iterations of the text, edited the
wording of the article in a way that would actually cover Wikimedia
projects. Even worse; after reaching out to MEPs and explaining what had
happened, a new Recital 35a explicitly recognises the role of online
encyclopaedias and excludes them from the scope of the Article
<https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2023-0264_EN.pdf> (see
page 47).
The Culture Committee adopted this in its report
<https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/A-9-2023-0264_EN.pdf>that
now needs to be voted on in plenary (vote is scheduled for the 3rd of
October).
—
We still prefer the versions of the Council and the Commission, as they
target only online platforms that offer business to business services to
media providers. With such a well targeted definition, there is no need for
messy exceptions. We will support this during the trilogue negotiations. We
expect negotiations to conclude in the first half of the next year.
—
Nota bene: We supported EDRi’s demands on Article 4
<https://edri.org/our-work/open-letter-european-parliament-protect-journalis…>
(Rights of media service providers) that demands a ban for the deployment
of spyware against media service providers. While such a provision would
not directly interfere with Wikimedia projects, it spying on journalists
would have negative consequences on freedom of expression and credible
sources. So we decided to co-sign this in support of journalists’ unions.
===CSAM ===
The work on the regulation laying down rules to prevent and combat child
sexual abuse material
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_to_Prevent_and_Combat_Child_Sexual…>
online has stalled somewhat. Wikimedia projects would be covered under this
and the Wikimedia Foundation has provided
<https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/1…>
constructive feedback, outlining some risks and challenges posed by the
scanning technologies used. Wikimedia is also criticising the idea to scan
direct, interpersonal communication in a general manner and without
judicial oversight.
—
The direct communication articles are the major bone of contention
surrounding this proposal. The Spanish Presidency failed to get an
agreement for a negotiating position in the Council last week and will need
to re-attempt a vote at the next meeting on 19 October. Member States that
are currently blocking this decision include Germany, Austria, the
Netherlands, Sweden and Poland.
—
Meanwhile the parliament has postponed its vote on a negotiating position
from 9 to 26 October. The conundrum is that most MEPs want to allow at
least some scanning of some personal communications, but not the general
monitoring provision. Many, possibly a majority, also want to preserve
end-to-end encryption. The rapporteur Javier Zarzalejos (EPP ES) is working
on a compromise to allow scanning of specific communication and only after
a judicial permission. However, with so many voices and strong opinions,
such compromises take time.
=== France ===
French legislators are working on a bill aiming at securing and regulating
the digital space (so called Loi SREN
<https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/dossierlegislatif/JORFDOLE000047533100/?wpmo…>).
The proposal would introduce some provisions on data retention and user
identification, in order to not allow already banned users to re-register.
That would require the collection of heaps of data and the compulsory
identification of all users. Wikimedia projects are squarely in the scope
of this proposal.
—
Wikimédia France is working on this as we speak, assisted by the Wikimedia
Foundation and Wikimedia Europe. The suggested amendments that would take
our projects out of the fireline didn’t pass in committee and will now,
hopefully, be discussed in plenary. It is noteworthy to highlight that the
bill is undergoing an accelerated procedure and this makes it much more
difficult to have a serious debate.
=== Italy ===
Italy adopted a decree
<https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/atto/serie_generale/caricaDettaglioAtto/or…>
by which has designated AGCOM, the Italian Media & Telecom Regulator, as
its Digital Service Coordinator. In the same decree (dealing with
protection of minors), Article 13 introduces an obligation for electronic
communications service providers (i.e. providers of: 1. internet access
services; 2. interpersonal communication services; 3. services consisting
wholly or mainly in the conveyance of signals) to make parental control
applications available for their customers.
--
Wikimedia Europe ivzw
Dear public policy mailing list,
Will any of you be attending the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Kyoto, Japan, this October? Are any of your contacts attending? Let us know!
The WMF Global Advocacy team is going to participate in sessions and will host a booth at the event. IGF is an important annual gathering of stakeholders from civil society, industry, government, and more, to discuss public policy issues relating to the Internet [1]. It's a great opportunity to share Wikimedia's priorities and perspectives on digital rights with allies and policymakers. Please find information on our sessions and the booth below.
We'd love to know which friends of the free knowledge movement might be attending. Please note many of the sessions at IGF are hybrid so you can join from the comfort of your homes. Details are on the IGF website linked below.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Ziski & WMF team
***WMF at IGF***
A) Monday: Launch of the Taskforce on Trustworthy Information. WMF co-chairs this taskforce of the Freedom Online Coalition with the Government of Denmark. The launch will take place on Monday, October 9 from 8am to 9:30 am local time at Workshop Room 6.
B) Tuesday: Evening reception with AccessNow from 20:00 local time.
C) Wednesday: Workshop on "Digital Democracy and Future Realities" from 08:45-10:15 local time. This is a hybrid session taking place in Room B-2 and online [2]. This session will focus on the open, public interest ideals and functions of the internet. Speakers will explore what we can do to promote shared, free, and communally governed spaces that allow participation, deliberation, and collaboration to flourish. Please join us online with this link: https://intgovforum.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMudO6urTMpE9Eh4dJFwf_5hxQMdw…
D) All week: Booth! In-person and virtual. We will be sharing hand-outs that cover how Wikimedia combats disinformation, how our movement interacts with artificial intelligence systems, and more.
____
[1] https://www.intgovforum.org/en/content/igf-2023
[2] https://intgovforum.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMudO6urTMpE9Eh4dJFwf_5hxQMdw…
Dear free knowledge advocacy enthusiasts,
I am pleased to share a great learning opportunity about a very hot topic
that many of you have expressed an interest in - Fair Use and Fairness in
Generative AI.
The lecture is taking place on *September 28th at 17:00 EST* (check your
local time <https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1695934800>) and you can tune
in online. Registration is required. You can register using this link: <
https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/pijip/events/12th-…
>
Full details are in the email below the line. Please let me know if any of
the links do not work.
All the best,
Ziski
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: 'Sean Flynn' via CC Policy Mailing List <cc-policy(a)creativecommons.org
>
Date: Fri, Sep 15, 2023 at 1:35 AM
Subject: Matt Sag Lecture on Copyrt + Gen AI
To: CC Policy Mailing List <cc-policy(a)creativecommons.org>
Dear Colleagues,
You are cordially invited to attend this year’s 12th Annual Peter A. Jaszi
Distinguished Lecture on Intellectual Property
featuring
Professor Matthew Sag on
Fairness and Fair Use in Generative AI
September 28 | 5:00pm |
In-Person and online | AUWCL Room NT01
Registration Requested
https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/pijip/events/12th-…
*A dinner reception will follow for in person attendees. *
This year’s Jaszi lecture is being held amidst a two-day set of meetings on
copyright and artificial intelligence.
September 28
10am-4pm Invite-only meetings of the Right to Research project
Professor Sean Flynn, Chair (contact me if you want to join)
(10am The Broadcast Treaty; 12pm Lunch; 1-4pm Works-in-Progress)
5pm Jaszi Lecture featuring Professor Matthew Sag
September 29
9:30am-4:30pm
Mapping Copyright’s Application to Generative Artificial Intelligence
Public Conference
Meredith Jacob, Chair
American University Washington College of Law
4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Room Y400 (Yuma Building)
RSVP:
https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/pijip/events/mappi…
Sean Michael Fiil-Flynn
Director, Professorial Lecturer
Program on Information Justice and Intellectual Property
American University Washington College of Law
Visiting Scholar, University of Amsterdam, Institute for Information Law
Senior Research Associate, University of Cape Town, IP Unit
PIJIP news and views: www.pijip.org; https://twitter.com/WCL_PIJIP
Editor in Chief, www.infojustice.org
Personal Twitter https://twitter.com/Sean_Fiil_Flynn
Hi all,
Perhaps this webinar might be of interest to some people on this mailing
list?
https://www.knowledgerights21.org/news-story/upcoming-webinar-19-september-…
The Knowledge Equity Network will be presented, and its work to increase
access to knowledge, through changing practices and promoting regulatory
reform.
Best,
*Eric Luth*
Projektledare engagemang och påverkan | Project Manager, Involvement and
Advocacy
Wikimedia Sverige
eric.luth(a)wikimedia.se
+46 (0) 765 55 50 95
Stöd fri kunskap, bli medlem i Wikimedia Sverige.
Läs mer på blimedlem.wikimedia.se
Dear all,
Wikimedia communities in the East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific
(ESEAP) region have different experiences and institutional capacity to
navigate the changing waters of public policy, especially on those that may
not be aligned or opposite to the mission and interests of the Wikimedia
movement. The diverse legal, social, and political landscape of the region
proved to be a unique challenge and opportunity at the same time.
We invite you to join us in the roundtable conversation session "Passion
and Perspectives: Policy Challenges and Opportunities for the Wikimedia
Communities in the ESEAP <https://eventyay.com/e/8f889410/session/8655>" at
this year's Wikimania to discuss the challenges, explore the opportunities
together, and learn from each other.
Featured speakers are Amanda Lawrence (Wikimedia Australia), Franziska Putz
(Wikimedia Foundation), Reke Wang (Wikimedia Taiwan), Juan Bautista H.
Alegre (Pilipinas Panorama Community). The session will be moderated by
Ramzy Muliawan (Wikimedia Indonesia).
Join us in-person at *Suntec Center Room 325* on *August 17*, 2023, at
*06:15* UTC/*14:15* Singapore Standard Time, or through *this Eventyay link*
<https://eventyay.com/e/8f889410/video/325/759> if you're joining us
virtually.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Cheers,
Ramzy
Ramzy Muliawan
https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:RamzyM
My working day may not be your working day. Please don’t feel obliged to
reply to this e-mail outside of your normal working hours.
Perhaps of interest: the US Congressional Research Service, which is a
non-partisan research group within the Library of Congress, issued a short
report on the current state of defining and regulating online platforms:
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47662
This is very US centric and focused on potential congressional legislation,
because the audience is meant to be US Congress members. But it could be a
nice primer/overview on current concerns.
cheers,
Phoebe
--
* I use this address for lists; send personal messages to phoebe.ayers <at>
gmail.com *
Dear all,
I am delighted to share this exciting news: public policy advocacy work is now (effective immediately) eligible for funding as part of the Wikimedia Foundation's General Support Fund [1]. Full details below the line, including recommendations for public policy advocacy projects [2].
Please note this is the Foundation's first iteration of making funds available for advocacy that furthers the Wikimedia movement's public policy goals. It will be imperfect, but the lessons we learn along the way will help us continue to improve this service. Thank you to the Wikimedians on this list whose input helped us start and shape this project, and thank you all in advance for your patience with us in the meantime.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Warmly,
Ziski
___
[1] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Ge…
[2] https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Grants:Programs/Wikimedia_Community_Fund/Re…
___
WHY: Advocacy is most effective when it is locally-led and contextually relevant. To bolster this approach, we'll start providing financial support for the public policy actions and goals that many of you have shared with us. We know this has been a key barrier preventing many of you from engaging more in advocacy activities. We hope that this adjustment will support movement members who wish to protect and promote free knowledge.
WHEN: Active effective immediately.
HOW IT WORKS: Same process as usual. The rough steps are:
1. Fill out the General Support Fund grant application. In question 9, applicants can select public policy advocacy if they have related activities. A new section will appear which provides guidance and prompts applicants to provide details about their plans.
2. The Global Advocacy Team and Grants Program Officers will co-review these activities. They may also provide support to grantees.
WHAT ABOUT USA LOBBYING LEGISLATION? Don't worry about that for now! First, just send us your ideas. The WMF team will assess how your plans relate to USA lobbying rules. However, each applicant is responsible for ensuring that their plans align with national legislation.
WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE? Please review this Meta-Wiki page [2] to learn more about what we consider as public policy advocacy for Wikimedia and what initiatives we can support.