Archive:English Wikipedia anti-SOPA blackout: Difference between revisions

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Date: January 16, 2011 <br /> <br />
Date: January 16, 2011 <br /> <br />


Today, the Wikipedia community has decided to black out the English-language Wikipedia for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 05:00 UTC on Wednesday, January 18 (you can read statement from the Wikimedia Foundation here). The blackout is a protest against proposed legislation in the United States —the [[:w:en:Stop Online Piracy Act|Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)]] in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the [[:w:en:PROTECT_IP_Act|PROTECTIP Act (PIPA)]] in the U.S. Senate— that, if passed, would seriously damage the free and open Internet, including Wikipedia.
Today, the Wikipedia community [[w:en:Wikipedia:SOPA_initiative/Action|announced its decision]] to black out the English-language Wikipedia for 24 hours, worldwide, beginning at 05:00 UTC on Wednesday, January 18 (you can read statement from the Wikimedia Foundation here). The blackout is a protest against proposed legislation in the United States —the [[:w:en:Stop Online Piracy Act|Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA)]] in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the [[:w:en:PROTECT_IP_Act|PROTECTIP Act (PIPA)]] in the U.S. Senate— that, if passed, would seriously damage the free and open Internet, including Wikipedia.


This will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever taken a public protest of this nature, and it’s a decision that wasn’t lightly made. Here’s how it’s been described by the three Wikipedia administrators who formally facilitated the community’s discussion. From the [[:w:en:Wikipedia:SOPA#Summary_and_conclusion|public statement]], signed by User:NuclearWarfare, User:Risker and User:Billinghurst:
This will be the first time the English Wikipedia has ever staged a public protest of this nature, and it’s a decision that wasn’t lightly made. Here’s how it’s been described by the three Wikipedia administrators who formally facilitated the community’s discussion. From the [[:w:en:Wikipedia:SOPA#Summary_and_conclusion|public statement]], signed by User:NuclearWarfare, User:Risker and User:Billinghurst:
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::It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open web.
::It is the opinion of the English Wikipedia community that both of these bills, if passed, would be devastating to the free and open web.
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Why is this a global action, rather than US-only? And why now, if some American legislators appear to be in tactical retreat on SOPA?
Why is this a global action, rather than US-only? And why now, if some American legislators appear to be in tactical retreat on SOPA?


The reality is that we don’t think SOPA is going away, and PIPA is still quite active. Moreover, SOPA and PIPA are just indicators of a much broader problem. All around the world, we’re seeing the development of legislation seeking to regulate the internet in other ways while hurting our online freedoms. Our concern extends beyond SOPA and PIPA: they are just part of the problem. We want the Internet to remain free and open, everywhere, for everyone.
The reality is that we don’t think SOPA is going away, and PIPA is still quite active. Moreover, SOPA and PIPA are just indicators of a much broader problem. All around the world, we’re seeing the development of legislation seeking to regulate the internet in other ways while hurting our online freedoms. Our concern extends beyond SOPA and PIPA: they are just part of the problem. We want the Internet to remain free and open, everywhere, for everyone.


On January 18, we hope you’ll agree with us, and will do what you can to make your own voice heard.
On January 18, we hope you’ll agree with us, and will do what you can to make your own voice heard.



'''Sue Gardner,'''<br />
'''Sue Gardner,'''<br />
Executive Director
Executive Director, Wikimedia Foundation
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Revision as of 02:56, 17 January 2012