[Foundation-l] NPOV as common value? (was Re: Board statement regarding biographies of living people)

[Gerard Meijssen]

Hoi,
There is a difference between the way photo journalists work and the way
most of the illustrations come to Commons. The NPPA code of ethics are
clearly written for active press journalists. They get paid for what they
do. Also the NPPA is a USA national entity and consequently their rules do
not take into account the people that provide us with illustrations and the
fact that they are from all over the globe.

Another important difference is that the intent of our illustrations is to
illustrate encyclopaedic and other educational works. This means that a
slight exageration in an illustration may actually serves our purposes well.
Many of the subjects that are covered are historical and consequently we
have to make use of the materials available to us. There are best practices
about historic and other material and they are not universally shared.

* Having access to the original material and providing information where
this material can be found
* Preferably including the meta data as available from the library, archive
or musuem
* When material is altered, the alterations have to be documented to enable
people to assess the illustration
* High reolution material is always preferable to low resolution images
* Non compressed material is always preferable to compresssed material for
original material
* Compressing material can always be done before material is actually served
from our Wikis
Thanks,
      GerardM


2009/4/22 Anthony <wikimail at inbox.org>

> On Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 12:46 PM, Anthony <wikimail at inbox.org> wrote:
>
> > On Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 11:21 PM, Brianna Laugher <
> > brianna.laugher at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> 2009/4/21 Michael Snow <wikipedia at verizon.net>:
> >> > The Wikimedia Foundation takes this opportunity to reiterate some core
> >> > principles related to our shared vision, mission, and values. One of
> >> > these values which is common to all our projects is a commitment to
> >> > maintaining a neutral point of view.
> >>
> >> I find it a bit strange to talk of Wikimedia Commons as having a NPOV
> >> policy.
> >
> >
> > Should commons allow images which are biased?
> >
> > More concretely, in terms of photography, should photographs adhere to
> the
> > standards of ethics adopted by photojournalists?
> >
>
> Here's the NPPA Code of ethics:
>
>   1. Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
>   2. Resist being manipulated by staged photo opportunities.
>   3. Be complete and provide context when photographing or recording
>   subjects. Avoid stereotyping individuals and groups. Recognize and work
> to
>   avoid presenting one's own biases in the work.
>   4. Treat all subjects with respect and dignity. Give special
>   consideration to vulnerable subjects and compassion to victims of crime
> or
>   tragedy. Intrude on private moments of grief only when the public has an
>   overriding and justifiable need to see.
>   5. While photographing subjects do not intentionally contribute to,
>   alter, or seek to alter or influence events.
>   6. Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images'
>   content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in
> any
>   way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects.
>   7. Do not pay sources or subjects or reward them materially for
>   information or participation.
>   8. Do not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from those who might seek
>   to influence coverage.
>   9. Do not intentionally sabotage the efforts of other journalists.
>
> 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 all deal with neutrality.  Should they apply to
> photos made for commons?
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