[Wikimediaau-l] Conroy - "Measures to improve safety of the internet for families"

[Andrew]

My own position is very similar to Liam's - personally opposed to the filter
as a free-thinking Australian citizen who believes it should be up to
parents what their kids see and the government has no place telling adults
what they can or can not see. Additionally I think it could have speed
effects and we're already one of the slower countries broadband-wise in the
developed world. I also agree with Liam though that we need to be clear with
the outside world that we are not Wikipedia, and it is a fine line
(promoting something while not being responsible for it - which is not
irresponsible, but rather acknowledging the responsiblity correctly lies
elsewhere).

cheers
Andrew

2009/12/16 Liam Wyatt <liamwyatt at gmail.com>

> Yes, indeed this is a good question and an important issue.
> On a personal basis I am completely opposed to the filter and I imagine
> most Wikimedians in Australia are.
> However, I would caution that the Chapter cannot be seen in word or deed to
> be "responsible for" Wikipedia.
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> 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.
>
> my 2 cents,
> -Liam
>
> wittylama.com/blog
> Peace, love & metadata
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 5:26 AM, Andrew <orderinchaos78 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Matt, thanks - good question. As yet, no it doesn't have an official
>> position - I have forwarded this to the committee list so one can be
>> reached promptly.
>>
>> Cheers
>> Andrew
>>
>>
>>
>> On 16/12/2009, Matt inbgn <mattinbgn at gmail.com> wrote:
>> > Hi all,
>> >
>> > Does the chapter have a position on this
>> > proposal<http://www.minister.dbcde.gov.au/media/media_releases/2009/115
>> >
>> > ?
>> >
>> > Should it have a position?
>> >
>> > If it has a position, what should it be doing to advance that position?
>> >
>> > Cheers,
>> > Matt
>> >
>>
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>
>
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