On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 1:52 PM, Thomas Dalton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote:

> 2008/12/9 Anthony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:
> > On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 1:43 PM, Gregory Maxwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> >
> >> On Tue, Dec 9, 2008 at 1:30 PM, Anthony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >> > Right now the whole thing is under review.
> >>
> >> Not anymore: The IWF has stated that the block will be removed.
> >
> >
> > "See, proof that the IWF system works"
> >
> > Seriously though, I hope they explain exactly why they've made that
> > decision, though I doubt they will.
>
> They have explained it on their website
> (http://www.iwf.org.uk/media/news.251.htm). The relevant bit is:
>
> "Following representations from Wikipedia, IWF invoked its Appeals
> Procedure and has given careful consideration to the issues involved
> in this case. The procedure is now complete and has confirmed that the
> image in question is potentially in breach of the Protection of
> Children Act 1978. However, the IWF Board has today (9 December 2008)
> considered these findings and the contextual issues involved in this
> specific case and, in light of the length of time the image has
> existed and its wide availability, the decision has been taken to
> remove this webpage from our list."
>

Wow, that's exactly the type of explanation I was looking for.  I'm going to
hold off on deciding whether or not I agree with it.

Also interesting is:
>
> "IWF's overriding objective is to minimise the availability of
> indecent images of children on the internet, however, on this occasion
> our efforts have had the opposite effect. We regret the unintended
> consequences for Wikipedia and its users. Wikipedia have been informed
> of the outcome of this procedure and IWF Board's subsequent decision."
>
> If they'd asked, we could have told them that would happen... at least
> they realise it now and will hopefully take that into account in
> future.


I'm not sure if I disagree with their conclusion, or disagree with their
objective.  I think this incident has at least had the potential to
encourage productive dialogue about this problem.

Of course, they probably see the issue in a completely different way than I
do anyway, especially if their goal is to minimize the availability of the
images, and not to minimize the actual victimization of children.
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