Wikipedia introduces new code of conduct to address harassment, fake news
Wikipedia has introduced a first-of-its-kind Universal
Code of Conduct that expands on the project's existing policies to create a
global set of community standards for addressing negative behaviour and
harassment on the site.
Launched by the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that
administers Wikipedia, the code's standards include clearly defining acceptable
behaviour; delinating harassment on and off the projects for all Wikipedia participants;
preventing the abuse of power and influence to intimidate others; and combating
deliberate introduction of false or inaccurate content.
"Our work is built around a radical premise that everyone
should be able to participate in knowledge," said Katherine Maher, CEO of
the Wikimedia Foundation.
"Our new universal code of conduct creates binding standards
to elevate conduct on the Wikimedia projects, and empower our communities to
address harassment and negative behaviour across the Wikimedia movement,"
she said in a statement on Tuesday.
More than 50 per cent of the global population has access to the
internet, an increase that has been linked to polarisation, and rising violence
from online speech against marginalised groups and ethnic communities according
to a report from the Council on Foreign Relations.
"Given these trends, it is more important than ever for the
Foundation and the volunteer community to strengthen accountability for content
on Wikimedia projects including Wikipedia, the world's largest online
encyclopedia, as well as the policies that govern user behaviour".
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