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

[Craig Franklin]

Having looked closely at our statement of purpose, read Google's position on
the matter, and read the following discussion
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Australian_Wikipedians'_notice_board
#Mandatory_internet_censorship ), I think that it's well within the
chapter's role to put out a press release/statement expressing concern at
this development.  This filter, if implemented, has the potential to
severely hamper our goal of "(promoting) equality of opportunity to access
and participate in the collaborative creation of Free Cultural Works".

 

That said, I oppose the filter on personal and moral grounds myself, so you
might take this with a grain of salt.  I'd be fully supportive if we did
something about this though - so long as anything we do makes it clear that
we are not Wikipedia.

 

Cheers,

Craig

 

From: wikimediaau-l-bounces at lists.wikimedia.org
[mailto:wikimediaau-l-bounces at lists.wikimedia.org] On Behalf Of Andrew
Sent: Wednesday, 16 December 2009 10:44 PM
To: Wikimedia-au
Subject: Re: [Wikimediaau-l] Conroy - "Measures to improve safety of the
internet for families"

 

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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