[Foundation-l] Wikinews is giving out press credentials

Thu Nov 10 06:28:49 UTC 2005

Daniel Mayer wrote:

>Again – monikers up to now, such as administrator, only give people authority
>to act within our community. Saying somebody is a credentialed journalist is
>*very* different since that relates to that person’s interactions with the
>outside world. Everything they do in our name is therefore a reflection on all
>of us and the foundation. 
>  
>
I agree oversight is necessary, but disagree that the Foundation is the 
proper entity to provide it---the Wikinews community is the only entity 
that should or can legitimately do so. The Foundation can, of course, 
step in in an emergency if necessary (which has always been the case on 
all projects), but pre-approval should not be necessary, nor should that 
authority be used in any case except a true emergency.

I don't see the importance of the outside vs. inside distinction in this 
case. It is entirely proper for a Wikinewsie to be given the authority 
to represent themselves to the outside world as "vouched for by 
Wikinews" if, in fact, they are vouched for the Wikinews community. So 
long as they are not presenting themselves as representatives of the 
Wikimedia Foundation, I don't see the need for Foundation approval.

-Mark