[WikiEN-l] Libel law

Thu Dec 8 17:04:56 UTC 2005

Steve Block wrote:

> Correct me if I'm wrong, but this is the mailing list for the english
> Wikipedia, yes?  So the point of asking is to try to work out what the
> policy is on that Wikipedia regarding libel.  Great, you personally
> aren't affected.  Does that absolve you of responsibility in attempting
> to formulate an understanding of the position to those it does affect
> and also to try and develop a policy on the situation?  If you
> personally are unaffected, I'm very happy for you.  Perhaps you could be
> sympathetic and at least understand the concerns of those that may be.

The problem is that we cannot base sensible policies by starting with 
the most restrictive cases, even in the English-speaking world, if our 
goal is maximal openness.  Singapore is largely English-speaking too, 
for example, and I don't see anybody suggesting we ought to pay more 
attention to their laws on publishing (which are fairly extensive).

-Mark