Wikimedia Conference 2018/Program/31

31. New Challenges for supporting Wikimedians

How to move forward

What was this session about?

This session was dedicated to outlining possible threats, dangers and pressures on Wikimedians. The group discussion went around views and ideas on these issues.

What are the next steps to be taken?

Findings of this session are to be incorporated into WMF Support and Safety procedures.

Photos

no-photo session

Slides

TBA

Speaker(s)

Christel Steigenberger (Wikimedia Foundation)

Length (min)

60

Audience / Target group

All Wikimedians

Session Format

short presentation and discussion afterward

Description

From discussions around strategy, but also through the input of individual volunteers, the Support & Safety Team of the Foundation has become aware of new needs on how to support and ensure the safety of Wikimedians around the world. After a short input on what we have learned so far, especially on threats and dangers to contributors by governments and others who want to control knowledge, I want to discuss with you your views and ideas on this issue.

Desired Outcome

Input of ideas, new perspectives, knowledge about existing threats and dangers from Wikimedians around the world.

Next Steps and Milestones

Incorporating the things I learn into Support and Safety procedures.

Documentation

Ways people with power try to take influence:

Censoring and removing access to Wikimedia projects
Putting pressure on affiliates
Putting pressure on individual Wikimedians
Financial influence
Taking direct action onwiki

Ways the Movement can deal with such issues:

Guarding the anonymity of editors
WMF and affiliates refraining from taking influence on content
legal actions
Social influence
Banning/Blocking, restricting editors
Other means

Group discussion continued with identifying problems and proposing possible solutions to them.