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[EXCLUSIVE] Wikimedia's new code of conduct expands responsible inclusiveness
The Jakarta Post speaks to Wikimedia Foundation's Amanda Keton on its new Universal Code of Conduct, which essentially applies Wikimedia's "free knowledge" concept to build on its existing code to support broader diversity and encourage community ownership of enforcing acceptable behavior across all platforms.
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Amanda Keton (Courtesy of/Wikimedia Foundation)
W
em>Wikimedia Foundation launched on Feb. 3 a Universal Code of Conduct, which expands on its existing policies to create a global set of community standards for addressing unacceptable behavior on its free knowledge-sharing sites, including Wikipedia. The Jakarta Post’s Dian Septiari recently spoke with Wikimedia general counsel Amanda Keton on the policy’s main points and goals. Here is an excerpt from the virtual discussion.
Question: What is the Universal Code of Conduct, and why is it a necessity?
Answer: So we are a collection of free knowledge projects. And this is the first time that we have introduced a code of conduct that applies across all of the projects. That's why we're calling it a Universal Code of Conduct, and it is a clear, consistent framework that is meant to address abuses of power and misinformation and – as shared responsibility between the Wikimedia Foundation and then our communities, who actually enforce many of the policies – make a lot of the decisions about what content ultimately lives on the various project websites.
How will the code of conduct be enforced?
The code of conduct is actually rooted in Wikipedia's values of respect, civility and the assumption of good faith. So [it] elevates the expectations for contributor behavior and outlines the kind of supportive, collaborative participation that characterizes our communities really, at their best and most productive.
In the next phase, [we] will actually be creating enforcement mechanisms to address negative behavior and that will be done in partnership with our users [and] our community of contributors, which is really different from how most other tech companies build their codes of conduct. And certainly, you know their enforcement mechanisms to make those decisions.
Obviously, the Universal Code of Conduct is not a new concept in that a lot of social media platforms also have terms of use and codes of conduct. I think the approach that Wikimedia is taking in the communities is quite different.
