Just a heads up on what the Wikimedia Foundation is currently doing
regarding the crisis in Ukraine. I would like to draw everyone's attention
to one paragraph in the below forwarded email:
"The Wikimedia Foundation has also received a letter from Roskomnadzor
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Service_for_Supervision_of_Communications,_Information_Technology_and_Mass_Media>,
the Russian government regulator for media, asking for the removal of an
article on Russian Wikipedia about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of
you may have seen this notice
<https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/ru/a/a9/493650-%D0%9D%D0%92-%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5.pdf>
online as it was also shared by Russian Wikipedia."
I seriously doubt that the community will take down the article but it is
worth noting.
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Gregory Varnum <gvarnum(a)wikimedia.org>
Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2022 at 22:11
Subject: [MoveCom]Information sharing on the situation in Ukraine
To: Movement communications group mailing list <movecom(a)lists.wikimedia.org>
OVERVIEW: Below is an update on what the Foundation has been doing in
response to the crisis in Ukraine. Please let us know what you are up to as
well.
Hi everyone,
As you may have already seen, the Foundation issued a statement
<https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2022/03/01/wikimedia-foundation-calls-for-continued-access-to-free-and-open-knowledge-as-ukraine-crisis-continues/>
yesterday on the crisis in Ukraine. We share the movement’s concern for the
ongoing danger for our community members in Ukraine and Russia. We are
actively investigating and developing methods for supporting our
communities as this crisis continues to unfold. The Foundation's staff also
recognizes the immediate impact and long-term threat this situation
presents to our global mission to share free and open knowledge. We will
continue to monitor for any cyber attacks or threats of disinformation.
The Wikimedia Foundation has also received a letter from Roskomnadzor
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Service_for_Supervision_of_Communications,_Information_Technology_and_Mass_Media>,
the Russian government regulator for media, asking for the removal of an
article on Russian Wikipedia about the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some of
you may have seen this notice
<https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikimedia/ru/a/a9/493650-%D0%9D%D0%92-%D1%83%D0%B2%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%BB%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8%D0%B5.pdf>
online as it was also shared by Russian Wikipedia.
As of now, we do not know if access to Wikipedia in Russia will be
restricted, but we are actively monitoring the situation. The Foundation is
working on a response plan. This is still in development given how quickly
things have happened over the last couple of days. We will share messaging
and draft social media posts as they become ready with all of you so that
we can amplify our calls for Wikipedia to be unblocked should Russia
proceed with a block.
While many of us had rough plans in place to respond to situations like
this, I know personally that putting these plans into action has been
frightening and challenging. Within the Foundation we have been focused on
the immediate threats to our staff, Board, affiliates, and of course
volunteers in the regions impacted. We have also been actively monitoring
the cyber and disinformation attacks occurring all across the internet.
I recognize that many people have been doing a lot to engage on this issue.
Thank you all for the work underway around the world supporting our
communities and collective mission. We would greatly appreciate hearing
more about what you all may be working on or hearing from the media
regarding this crisis. Please utilize this list to help stay coordinated on
any responses, media inquiries, or important questions you may be getting.
Remember that you can invite others to join
<https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:Contact/movecomsignup> - we have
just processed a batch of new members and are adding some support to the
process to help bring more movement communications folks on during this
effort. In addition to this list, you can also reach out to our press team
directly at press(a)wikimedia.org.
Again, thank you all for the important work you are doing. I find great
comfort in the sense of community we find within our movement at times like
these, and hope you are all taking the actions you need to stay well.
-greg
--
Gregory Varnum (pronouns - he/his/him)
Senior Strategist, Communications
Wikimedia Foundation <https://wikimediafoundation.org/>
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Douglas Ian Scott
司道格
Skype: douglas0scott
South African mobile number: +27 (0)79 515 8727