[Foundation-l] Blackout at Italian Wikipedia

[Craig Franklin]

> Date: Tue, 4 Oct 2011 13:58:51 -0700
> From: Sue Gardner <sgardner at wikimedia.org>
> Subject: Re: [Foundation-l] Blackout at Italian Wikipedia
> To: Wikimedia Foundation Mailing List
>        <foundation-l at lists.wikimedia.org>
> Message-ID:
>        <CAGZ0=LN0xLr-0A0AJOCu-7eX1bKQfYnVV5xETQY5uY9LqduoSw at mail.gmail.com
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> The Wikimedia Foundation first heard about this a few hours ago: we don't
> have a lot of details yet. Jay is gathering information and working on a
> statement now.
>
> It seems obvious though that the proposed law would hurt freedom of
> expression in Italy, and therefore it's entirely reasonable for the Italian
> Wikipedians to oppose it. The Wikimedia Foundation will support their
> position.
>
> The question of whether blocking access to Wikipedia is the best possible
> way to draw people's attention to this issue is of course open for debate
> and reasonable people can disagree. My understanding is that the decision
> was taken via a good community process. Regardless, what's done is done,
> for
> the moment.
>
> Thanks,
> Sue


Of late I've often round reasons to be critical of the choices the WMF has
made, but in this case you've made the best choice possible - supporting the
community on it.wikipedia in a decision that they've come to as a group,
even though that decision is controversial in some places.  Bravo Sue, and
Bravo WMF.

Cheers,
Craig