October 25, 2007 The free-content news source that you can write! Page 1
Top Stories Wikipedia Current Events Bush says missile shield "urgently" needed to counter Security in the United States Iranian threat State Department following the In a speech on Tuesday, U.S. Blackwater shooting in Iraq. President George W. Bush said •Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands that deploying a missile shield in begins her four-day visit to India Europe is necessary to counter an to strengthen bilateral ties emerging nuclear threat from Iran. between the two countries. The planned missile shield is strongly opposed by Russia, which •The United Kingdom announces a sees it as a threat to its security. 1,000,000 flee homes in unilateral end to the Common California due to wildfires Travel Area with the Republic of "The need for missile defense in Ireland. From 2009, passports Europe is real and I believe it's will be required for the first time, urgent. Iran is pursuing the China launches space probe to bringing to an end centuries of technology that could be used to the moon unimpeded travel between the produce nuclear weapons, and The People's Republic of China two islands. ballistic missiles of increasing today launched its first moon range that could deliver them," orbiter as part of the country's •Reuters reports that Turkish Bush said in a speech at the lunar exploration program. forces launched an attack on Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) National Defense University. positions in northern Iraq earlier "Today, we have no way to defend Featured story in the week killing 34 PKK Europe against the emerging Libertarianz discusses a free fighters. Iranian threat, so we must deploy a missile defense system there state with Wikinews •Turkish warplanes attack a that can." Libertarianz party president, village near Shiranish Islam in Craig Milmine, and the party Kurdistan. leader, Bernard Darnton, spoke In his speech, Bush emphasized exclusively to Wikinews journalist •China launches its first lunar the threat posed by the range of Gabriel Pollard about the political orbiter, Chang'e 1, on an Iran's missiles. "Last November, philosophy, libertarianism in New exploration mission to the moon. Iran conducted military exercises in which it launched ballistic Zealand. •The Pakistan People's Party missiles capable of striking Israel claims that its leader, former and Turkey," Bush said. He warned Wikipedia Current Events Prime Minister of Pakistan that, with "continued foreign Benazir Bhutto has been A storm in the Gulf of Mexico kills assistance", Iran could develop an forbidden from leaving the 10 Mexican oil workers fleeing an ICBM capable of reaching the country. oil rig with Navy rescue teams United States by 2015. trying to reach survivors. •Prime Minister of Denmark •Moderating winds improve the Anders Fogh Rasmussen calls Russian President Vladimir Putin outlook in the flight against the early elections for 13 November has suggested that the United California wildfires of October 2007, less than three years after States and the West could rely on 2007. the last elections in early 2005. Russian-operated early warning radar in Azerbaijan to counter •Richard J. Griffin resigns as head missle threats from Iran. of the Bureau of Diplomatic
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The U.S. missile defense plan is scheduled to visit Turkey on today launched its first moon includes 10 ground-based Thursday. orbiter as part of the country's interceptors in Poland and a radar lunar exploration program. system in the Czech Republic. "We do not accept in any way... Russian Foreign Minister Sergey the use of Iraqi territories, At 18:00 hours local time (10:00 Lavrov said previously that the including the territories of the UTC) the rocket Chang'e 1 lifted shield was seen a "potential Kurdistan region, as a base to off from Xichang Satellite Launch threat" by Russia and that Russia threaten the security of Center in southwestern China. The could take measures to neighbouring countries," Massoud name of the probe refers to the "neutralize" it. In his speech, Bush Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Chinese goddess of the moon. said that the missile shield was not Regional Government, said in a designed to intercept missiles from statement condemning the PKK. The state television network Russia and "would be easily broadcasted live footage of the overwhelmed by Russia's nuclear "We are concerned about the countdown and launch, which took arsenal." continuing skirmishes that are place in the presence of Chinese happening up there, and terrorist officials and some 2,000 Chinese Also on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of attacks that are being launched by who paid around US$100 to attend Defense Robert Gates proposed the PKK against the Turks," White the event, but without any delaying the activation of part of House Press Secretary Dana Perino international press. the missile shield if Russia said. cooperates with the project. "We The 2350 kg probe is expected to continue to encourage the 2007/08 UEFA Champions enter a lunar orbit on November 5. Russians to partner with us in League: Werder Bremen vs. On its year-long mission, Chang'e missile defense and continue our Lazio 1 will obtain threedimensional efforts to reassure them that these Werder Bremen beat Lazio at images of the Moon's surface and facilities are not aimed at Russia home to claim their 1st 3 points of gather information related to the and could benefit Russia," Gates this season's UEFA Champions chemical and physical properties of said. He also suggested that the League. The win allows Werder the lunar soil. It will do so missile shield could remain Bremen to move ahead of Lazio in circulating at about 200 kilometers inactive until "definitive proof" of a the standings with Werder Bremen above the lunar surface. On its threat arose. "We would consider now 3rd. The win also brings them way to the Moon the spacecraft tying together the activation of the 1 point behind Olympiacos. will register data regarding the sites in Poland and the Czech solar winds, or space weather, on Republic with definitive proof of Werder Bremen, who held the the way there. It will also the threat, in other words, Iranian majority of the possession broadcast 30 patriotic Chinese missile testing and so on," he said. throughout the game, broke songs when orbiting the Moon. through in the 28th minute Turkey launches airstrikes through Sonago. Almeida gave the The communist-ruled nation which against Kurdish rebels Germans a two-goal cushion nine hosts next year's Olympics hopes According to reports, Turkey has minutes into the second half. to put a taikonaut on the moon in today launched airstrikes against Clemens Fritz sent a long low cross 10 to 15 years. Last month, Japan Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to the Hugo Almeida, who then launched a lunar probe while India bases near the border to Iraq. doubled the lead. Lazio managed hopes to achieve the same next F-16 fighter jets and helicopter to pull 1 back before the final April. In 2003, China used one of gunships are said to have bombed whistle. their own rockets to get the targets on both sides of the astronaut Yang Liwei into space. border. The 2 clubs match up again in 13 Yang told the Xinhua News Agency days from now with both teams last week that once China has a Turkish officials said that a major needing to pick up points to have a manned space station, he and his incursion was not implemented at shot for 2nd place in Group C. fellow taikonauts could form a new this time to give diplomacy a final branch of the Communist Party in chance. An Iraqi delegation, China launches space probe to space. headed by defense minister Qadir the moon Obeidi (aka Abdel Qader Jassim), The People's Republic of China Last January, China used a rocket
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 3 to blow up one of its own 2004, and found what they call 12,000 evacuees from the satellites, sparking fears from the "moonlets" or large pieces ranging Southern California wildfires. United States and other countries from the size of a stadium to a that China might have a military semi truck, of what they say are In addition to the housing of agenda in space, besides the the remains of a large moon which evacuees at the stadium, the problems of space pollution and was likely destroyed when a comet decision to postpone the game was danger to other satellites the or asteroid slammed into it. made for several other reasons. explosion caused. China says the Federal and state declarations of a goals of its space program are "This is the first evidence of a state of emergency; air quality; scientific and peaceful moonlet belt in any of Saturn's transportation considerations; rings. We have firmly established closure of SDSU; student-athlete 7.1 earthquake strikes these moonlets exist in a relatively well-being; fan safety; and Indonesia narrow region of the "A" ring, and competitive equity, all played a According to the United States the evidence indicates they are role. Mountain West Conference Geological Survey (USGS) a remnants of a larger moon that commissioner Craig Thompson magnitude 7.1 quake struck was shattered by a meteoroid or said, "There is a far greater Sumatra in Indonesia just after comet," said one of the priority than sporting events in the 4:00 a.m. local time. researchers, Miodrag Sremcevic. San Diego area at this time. The focus should be on emergency The epicenter was located 135 The Cassini spacecraft captures response and resources, and kilometers (85 miles) west of eight new propeller-like features getting the community back on its Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia in within Saturn's A ring in what may feet. Our thoughts are with our the Indian Ocean, with a depth of be the propeller "hot zone" of colleagues at San Diego State 30 k.m. (18.6 miles). Saturn's rings. Propeller features University, as well as everyone form around small moonlets that who has been affected by this The NOAA issued a tsunami alert are not massive enough to clear disaster." that was later lifted saying "no out ring material, but are still able destructive widespread tsunami is to pull smaller ring particles into a Calls made for prosecution in expected," but that "local tsunamis shape reminiscent of an airplane light of Garuda Indonesia can affect locations no more than propeller. Scientists believe that Flight 200 report 100 kilometers from the propellers represent moonlet Australia is calling for criminal epicenter." They also state that wakes, which are denser than the charges to be made in light of the lack of "sea level data" may delay surrounding ring material and final report into the Garuda the center's determination of appear bright in the images. The Indonesia Flight 200 disaster, whether or not a tsunami was length of the belt in which the which was published yesterday. generated. moonlets were discovered is Five Australians were among the almost 2,000 miles long. 21 killed when the Boeing 737 The USGS states that damage may jetliner overshot the runway at be "light to moderate" but so far Scientists estimate that the size of Adisucipto International Airport, there are no reports of injures, the moon was relative to the size near Yogyakarta, Indonesia on deaths or damage. of Pan, the innermost moon of March 7 this year. Saturn. It only measures 20 miles Evidence of 'shattered moon' wide at its widest point. Australian Minister for Foreign found inside rings of Saturn affairs, Alexander Downer, said Scientists say that floating inside SDSU vs. BYU football game that the "very credible report" Saturn's rings are pieces of what postponed due to wildfires made it clear the two-man cockpit they believe to be a "shattered The San Diego State University crew were responsible for the moon," according to images (SDSU) and Brigham Young accident. The report found that captured by NASA's spacecraft University (BYU) football game, alarms sounded no less than Cassini–Huygens. originally scheduled for October fifteen times to warn the pilot in 27, 2007 in San Diego, has been command that he was flying at an The scientists from the University postponed until December 1. excessive speed for proprer of Colorado at Boulder looked at Qualcomm Stadium, home of the operation of the flaps, and that the the images which were captured in SDSU Aztecs, is currently housing co-pilot had also been ignored
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 4 when he asked for a go-around to action is expected to be not be used for any purpose other be made. The co-pilot was announced. However, if they are than determining the cause of an criticised for not taking control of charged over the crash, he has accident or incident. The only the aircraft. The pilot was found to promised the airline will assist in possible exception to this is where have ignored fifteen emergency their defence, saying "They are potential benefit would outhweigh activations of the Ground still our employees, up to now. the "adverse domestic and Proximity Warning System telling They have the right to be international impact" on the him to slow down. Other criticisms assisted." Police say they are investigation in question or any were leveled at the inadeqaute examining closely the possibility of other either in progress or in the training provided by the airline, charging both with manslaughter, future. This legislation is in place the inadeqaute inspections by which could see them sent to to provide protection to witnesses authorities, the lack of a prison for up to five years if on the basis that without it they mandatory runoff area at the convicted. When queried about the may be less likely to cooperate runway and improper fire fact that the report found the crew with investigational procedures. suppressants and slow response had not received adequate from the Aircraft Rescue and simulator training from the airline, Downer's repsonse to this law was Firefighting facilities at the airport. he defended the company, saying to comment that "I think our first "Nobody is perfect in this entire priority is to make sure those who "I've asked our ambassador today world." Since the suspension of the are responsible - who survived the to make it absolutely clear to the pilots, all other Garuda pilots have accident - are brought to justice." Indonesians that we want people undergone the apropriate training Aridono Sukman, the police prosecuted for this accident," said missed out by Garuda. member in charge of the criminal Downer. "I want to see people who investigation, has said that the have negligently allowed Australian Prime Minister John contents of the black box are vital Australians … to be killed, I want Howard said in a statement made evidence. Officials have to see those people brought to after the report came out "I am commented that some relatives justice," he added. He ahs also quite astonished. I can understand have expressed their frustration expressed a pledge to discuss how people who are still grieving, over the legal challenges involved plans for a class action suit with both in Indonesia and Australia, in the prosecution effort. survivors and relatives of victims, might feel." but he commented that "you're Tatang Kurniadi, chairman of the dealing with the Indonesian The Opposition Leader, Kevin Indonesian National Transportation system here, it's a different Rudd, has said he has telephoned Safety Committee, has already system from our own, so it's not secretary-general of Indonesia's confirmed that investigators necessarily going to be very easy." foreign affairs department and cannot speak to the police, with Bill Madden from the law firm former ambassador to Australia the only permited testimony under Slater and Gordon, who have a Imron Cotan, telling him that he the legislation being to testiry at a speciality in class actions, wanted those responsible court hearing. He also pointed out disagreed: "It would seem as "prosecuted to the absolute full". that the document does not though the families and people "This is a serious matter, many actually apoint any blame. "The injured would have a fairly strong Australians visit Indonesia, Garuda investigation determined the flight case," he said. "You'd be holding is an often used airline and there crews' compliance with procedures an airline responsible for the is a basic national interest at stake was not at the level to ensure the negligence of a pilot and that's a here as well," he said. safe operation of the aircraft. fairly standard approach that the That's enough," he said. However, law can follow." It is, however, stipulated in the Sisno Adiwinoto, a police Convention on International Civil spokesperson, told reporters the Meanwhile, the Sydney Morning Aviation that accident reports and police would attempt to summon Herarld spoke with Ari Sapari, related material, specifically the investigators to court as expert head of operations at Garuda transcripts of interviews, witnesses on aviation, rather than Indonesia. He told reporters that communications with crew and as the actual investigators the pilots, who remain grounded cockpit voice recorder and flight involved with the disaster. after the crash, may be sacked data recorder (collectively knwon next week, when any disciplinary as black boxes) readouts, must Another fact that has become
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 5 aparant is that the runway at Libertarianz discusses a free current system of governance as a Adisucipto International will not be state with Wikinews game. “What's right or wrong lengthened to meet international Libertarianz party president, Craig doesn't really matter as long as standards despite assurances that Milmine, and the party leader, the red team or the blue team or work would begin shortly. The Bernard Darnton, spoke whoever is scoring more points. I airport claims it cannot build the exclusively to Wikinews journalist think that's a terrible way to mandatory 90-metre runway end Gabriel Pollard about the political approach government." safety area because, says a small- philosophy, libertarianism in New print comment by the state-owned Zealand. This article follows on The reason this political airport operator, the airport does from interviews with republican, philosophy, underpinned by not have the land." It has, Lewis Holden; and monarchist, objectivism, isn't well accepted in however, promised to bring other Noel Cox. the New Zealand culture is airports under it's jurisdiction up because New Zealanders are to standard, with work initialising The idea of libertarianism is where generally wary of major change, next year. The company has also consent is required for all actions vote for the party they always stated that a study of engineering between people, and that these have, and vote for the party they methods providing alternative interactions are voluntary. Over think will win, not the one they solutions could be completed by four million people will be given want to win, Mr Darton believes. June. freedom to run their own lives as "These sorts of behaviour reinforce Mr Milmine said. He says the the big parties, even though American television personality Government doesn't follow this neither have much to offer,” Mr James Lipton was a pimp generally accepted principle. "They Darton said, “What Libertarianz is James Lipton, the host of Inside take money without consent, order proposing is something quite the Actors Studio, mentions in his us around, and tell us what we can different to anything any other recently released memoir, Inside and cannot put in our bodies." party is putting forward.” Mr Inside, that he once worked as a Their party website states, “We Milmine sees New Zealanders pimp when he was living in France. will put paid to bloated accepting libertarianism because, government bureaucracy and its “Slowly people see that the "This was when I was very very authoritarian inclinations.” government doesn’t solve their young, living in Paris, penniless, problems, it caused them in the unable to get any kind of working Mr Darnton said that one of the first place.” And when this is permit," said Lipton. "I had a biggest jobs of Libertarianz is to followed by a significant minority, friend who worked in what is called show New Zealanders how their Mr Milmine says, the change will the Milieu, which is that world and lives could be better. "Most parties happen very quickly. she suggested to me one night, complain when others steal their `Look, you'll be my mec... We policies. We just smile and get on Although Mr Milmine does say that would translate it perhaps... as with the next thing." Libertarianz he cannot predict what will happen pimp. We were earning our living is, as Mr Milmine says, “principled to New Zealand if it were to together, this young woman and I, opposition to the idea of a large change to a libertarianism state, we made a rather good living, I nanny-state government in New "because it is asking me to predict must say." Zealand. the interactions of over four million people when they are given He had spoken about it before on “A burglar stealing your TV is in freedom to run their own lives." his show, when he interviewed the wrong because they are taking Julia Roberts and mentioned his without permission. The As well as changing the system of familiarity with prostitutes. government steals a proportion of Government, Libertarianz also your wealth every year, the fact propose New Zealand becoming a "I had to set the record straight," that they allow a minor amount of republic and removing the he said. "God, it was awful that input from you into how they are constitutional monarchy. Mr night with Julia. I was dying. And going to distribute the stolen loot Darnton said, “The monarchy is so those were my students laughing does not change the fact that they distant in New Zealand that I don't at me!" stole it in the first place.” think becoming a republic would make a big difference in many Mr Darnton also describes the people's lives.” Mr Milmine says, “A
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 6 head of state has a valid role to speech intended to "bring into play as a check on the power on hatred or contempt" or "excite The last election was held on the government, but it cannot disaffection" against the monarch February 8, 2005 for a term of 4 perform this role if it is toothless.” or the government or to incite or years. In Denmark, however, the encourage "violence, lawlessness, Prime Minister has the option to Although Mr Darnton believes that or disorder". The law had been dissolve the parliament and call a New Zealand will eventually widely criticised following the snap election at any time before become a republic, he is wary of conviction of Timothy Selwyn in the four years are up. making a push to it too quickly. He 2006 - the first sedition cites anti-prosperity and the prosecution in 75 years - and The current government coalition governmental interference as repeal had been recommended by consisting of Venstre issues that could make it into a the New Zealand Law Commission. (Rasmussen's Liberal party) and written constitution and making it Conservative People's Party has harder to shift later. While Mr Minister of Justice Mark Burton not resigned and seeks re-election. Milmine says they would run into criticised the law as an It has been the governing coalition problems with people disagreeing infringement on freedom of speech in Denmark since 2001. The with the Treaty of Waitangi if it and a tool of political persecution - Danish People's Party backs the were placed into a written a view widely echoed by MPs from current government but is not part constitution. But says a written across the house. Green Party MP of it. constitution is needed, “There are Keith Locke noted that "the roll- examples of where [a written call of those charged is a roll call Recent opinion polls indicate the constitution] has worked and there of our political heroes". However, minority government and its are plenty of examples of the New Zealand First MP Ron Mark supporting party would still government ignoring the rights in advocated retaining the law in command a majority among our Bill of Rights because of the light of current fears about Danish voters. lack of a written constitution.” terrorism. New Zealand First was the only party to vote against the Injured Buffalo, New York And the final question asked to bill. police officer returns home both Craig Milmine and Bernard Patricia Parete, 42, a Buffalo, New Darnton was whether they were a The bill repeals all seditious York police officer who was shot Holden or a Ford fan. Mr Milmine offences, and will come into effect two times and nearly killed by a said he preferred “Subaru – I on 1 January 2008. fleeing suspect in December of prefer the rallies – they allow more 2006, has returned to her Buffalo freedom” while Mr Darnton bluntly Danish Prime Minister calls an home after being transferred to a said, "No, I'm not." election for 2007 specialized rehabilitation hospital The Prime Minister of Denmark, in New Jersey to recover from her New Zealand repeals sedition Anders Fogh Rasmussen, has injuries. Another officer, Carl law called for snap elections for Andolina who was also responding Wellington, New Zealand - At a Denmark's unicameral parliament, to the scene, was also shot twice. time when many countries are the Folketing. The parliamentary tightening anti-terrorism election will be held on Tuesday, Parate is able to speak, but still is legislation and discussing on November 13, 2007. The call not able to walk, or move her whether to "crack-down" on follows over a month of rumours in arms because of one of the bullets freedom of speech, New Zealand the media. severely damaged her spinal cord. has repealed its sedition law. The The other bullet hit her bullet proof Crimes (Repeal of Seditious Rasmussen made the vest and did not cause any Offences) Amendment Bill was announcement in an address to damage. Andolina was shot once passed by the New Zealand the Folketing at 1:06 p.m. CEST in the neck and once in the Parliament by an overwhelming (UTC+2), stating that the current shoulder. majority of 114 to 7. administration was not stepping down and that the election is to be The two officers were responding Sedition is the crime of inciting held now to avoid having to a call at about 9:00 p.m. on insurrection against the state. New speculation dominate the current December 5, that a male and Zealand's sedition law criminalised political debates. female were fighting inside a
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Valero gas station located on West Yesterday, U.S. President George fix them. Chippewa and Elmwood Avenues W. Bush declared a state of in Downtown Buffalo when one of emergency in California, clearing Matt: What was your job position the suspects, Varner Harris, 18 the way for the state to begin for cbc.ca, and what did you work and lives in Buffalo, fled police. receiving federal aid assistance. on while you were there? When the officers began to chase SG: I was senior director of Harris, he turned and fired several "All of us across this nation are CBC.CA. (That means I ran it.) Do shots at the officers, wounding concerned for the families who you want me to explain a little both of them. Despite being shot have lost their homes and the about what it is? two times, Andolina still managed many families who have been to give a short chase to apprehend evacuated from their homes. We Thunderhead: Please do the suspect, tackling him to the send the help of the federal SG: It's the website of the ground. government," said Bush in a Canadian public broadcaster, the statement to the press. only national public broadcaster in Neither officer fired any shots. Canada and the equivalent to the Both officers were shot by a .38- The Santa Ana Winds have been BBC, the Australian Broadcasting caliber revolver. At least 5 shots blowing for three days and they Corporation, the French pubcaster. total were fired in total by the are not forecast to stop for the etc. CBC is mainly a news suspect. next day or so. organization, and CBC.CA is mainly a news website. Harris was convicted for the Close to 2,000 homes are burned attempted murder of the officers, to ashes and nearly 70,000 more Thunderhead: How did you come and could face 30 years in prison. are believed to be at a high risk of to work for the Wikimedia catching fire. Almost 400,000 Foundation? Were you asked to 1,000,000 flee homes in acres of land have been scorched join by someone? And if so, who? California due to wildfires; over with 18 fires burning. SG: I actually first got interested 500,000 ordered to evacuate in the Wikimedia Foundation in a Reports say that the amount of Interview with Sue Gardner of serious way, when I saw it do such people fleeing from their homes in the Wikimedia Foundation a good job on the Virginia Tech California located in the United Wikinews reporters interviewed story. On the morning of the States due to wildfires has reached Sue Gardner, an employee of the Virginal Tech massacre, I was the 1,000,000 mark as the fires Wikimedia Foundation, the project following the story on continue to grow. More than that runs Wikipedia and several Wikipedia/Wikinews, and reading 500,000 people have been ordered other projects, including Wikinews. the talk page. And it was a really to evacuate areas of Southern excellent level of conversation that California as firefighters have Before coming to Wikimedia, she was being had there. I was really began to realize that they may not ran CBC.CA, the website of seriously impressed. So I started be able to put all the fires out. Canada's national public doing a little reading about the broadcaster. She was also a radio organization, which resulted in me 45 people have been injured, 21 of and television journalist for 10 talking with Brad Patrick [then those being firefighters battling years. General Counsel to the Board of the blazes. At least one person Trustees] and then Florence was reported to have been killed Interview [Nibart-Devouard, Chair of the earlier, but so far those reports Matt: Hi Sue, could you explain Board]. Which resulted in me cannot be confirmed. what you do for the Wikimedia coming here. Foundation? "If it's this big and blowing with as Sue Gardner: Sure. I am a Brian: In joining WMF was there much wind as it's got, it'll go all consultant & special advisor to the anything you brought from the way to the ocean before it board. Essentially, I am here to CBC.ca's policies that you feel stops ... We can save some stuff help the organization have influenced your contributions but we can't stop it," said captain professionalize and improve. It's a to the foundation? Can you give of the San Diego fire department, young organization with a lot of Wikinews any tips? I am assuming Kirk Humphries. normal 'young-organization' their similar balance/neutrality challenges—and I am here to help policies as the BBC's
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SG: Yes, I think so. CBC is an interest. Yeah. I am really hoping SG: I don't know anything about extremely thoughtful, intentional, that someone applying for funds that particular proposal for deliberate organization. I have from the CPB will propose a collaboration, but I am generally borrowed from it liberally thus far collaboration with Wikinews very much in favour of us —our code of conduct owes collaborating with external entities. something to the CBC's, as does Thunderhead: When the I have begun talking a little with a our travel policy, travel approvals Foundation moves to San guy at CNN myself, as I think policy, reimbursement policy etc. Fransisco, will you be going with Brian knows. So there are a lot of new policies it? here (and there will be more) that SG: Yes Mike: The proposal is basically that have been heavily influenced by Turner will give us a venue for the the CBC. In terms of journalistic Matt: Do you believe that citizen conference and bring in industry policy, I have had no influence on journalism sites like Wikinews people to speak, in addition to how Wikinews handles things. And should have an editorial review more citizen-oriented speakers Brian, you are correct that CBC's process? and our own from Wikinews. I editorial policies are very similar to SG: That is a good question. I know personally I didn't believe those of the BBC. assume you mean prepublication, such a media conglomerate would right? want to partner with free culture, Matt: Have you had much to do so it was surprising to me. Does it with Wikinews during the course of Matt: Yeah. surprise you, or do you see a good your work for the Wikimedia SG: It's a good question, and working relationship between Foundation? there are good arguments on both "free" and "for profit" journalism SG: No, very little. I am a big sides. I know that Nick Denton of outlets? supporter of Wikinews for obvious Gawker Media has a kind of 'shoot SG: It doesn't surprise me at all reasons. Can I talk a little bit first ask questions later' stance— that Turner would want to partner about that? they say they value transparency with us. I have had useful and are fine to admit their conversations with all kinds of Matt: Sure. mistakes and publish corrections people; the head of CNN.com, the SG: I am very interested in immediately. I think in general head of the BBC online, a head of Wikinews because of my that's the direction the media are programming at PBS, etc. And I background. I worked for seven moving in; that we would publish know many of us are having years in online journalism, and and correct, rather than hold off similar conversations. People want spent a lot of time talking with my publishing. There are lots of to partner with the Wikimedia colleagues at other organizations reasons for that, and there's an Foundation because it is about the future of online news, interesting argument to be made extraordinarily successful and the citizen journalism, participatory that it's the most respectful stance material it creates is phenomenally journalism etc. I am still doing vis-a-vis the readers. relevant and useful. some of that—next week, for example, I will be in Washington Brian: Gawker sounds like what we Brian: we had a reporter with the helping the Corporation for Public do, only a lot less cautious. beeb for a week Broadcasting decide who to give SG: Yes. I like Nick Denton a lot— funding for to cover the US he is very honest and modest Thunderhead: And the BBC used presidential election online. So I about the work he does. He some of our content earlier am very interested in these issues. sometimes mocks traditional And I don't think that any media media for being overly pompous Matt: Do you think the fact that organization has got this figured they can reuse what we make in out, even a little bit. It seems to Mike: Sue, the community partnership with them is one of me that Wikinews is in a very good initiative "Conference of the the reasons for people wanting to position to make real progress on Americas" is getting support from partner with us, whereas a lot of participatory news/citizen Turner Broadcasting for the citizen traditional media want to retain journalism, etc., because the WMF journalism unconference. How do copyright on work? projects are extremely good at you feel about the community SG: This is great, and it's my fostering collaboration. So I am partnering with such a big name in opinion that we should partner up watching Wikinews with a lot of journalism? with lots of organizations in lots of
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 9 ways. Probably we will find the to us. So they are very there are lots of people who can most constructive partnerships constrained. do as good or better a job than I with the public sector could, of editing Wikinews. But I organizations (as Brian and Brian: For wikinews all they have think I am the only person who is Thunderbird are saying, with the to do is credit us with the story to paid to be thinking about the BBC). No, I don't think they comply with the license organization as a whole all day understand the GFDL at all. And SG: You mean, they can use your every day - so that's what I do. copyright is a problem for material if they credit you, yes? traditional media; it was my single Matt: If you could interview biggest problem at the CBC, since Brian: Yes, a link to us would be anyone for Wikinews who would it is so constraining and complex. I nice too you like to interview? think they are interested in us SG: Did you interview Doris because a) we are popular, and Matt: Yeah, as long as they state Lessing? they strive for relevance/popularity its CC-BY-2.5 and give our name, all the time, and b) because we they can use it. Can users who Brian: Not yet, although we have managed to persuade people have edited Wikinews be respected reported on her though (see Doris to participate in our world and to around real journalists? Will they Lessing wins Nobel Prize for help us and work with us. be turned down because they have Literature) Traditional media have been less written for an online website like SG: Okay. I read your Doris successful than we have—than you Wikinews, which is not particularly Lessing story, and I was thinking have!—in creating an environment fond of the mainstream media, maybe someone had interviewed which people enjoy participating and not traditional media? her later. For me personally, I in. SG: First, let me say that I don't would love to interview Doris think Wikinews and the Lessing. Brian: If they don't understand traditional/mainstream media GFDL, is CC-BY (per Wikinews) should consider themselves at all Thunderhead: Do you use better for their legal folks? in opposition to each other. I think Wikinews as a primary source for SG: I think traditional media see they can peacefully coexist. There news, or do you use other copyright as a problem, and they are some things the mainstream mainstream sources, and then look do not understand it very well. media are very good at, and they to Wikinews? Basically it just represents cost are also (sometimes) happy to SG: I use a lot of different and complexity to them. I had a admit their faults. And yes, I think sources. I think it would be difficult meeting with PBS the other day in Wikinews writers can be respected to rely solely—or even primarily— which we tried to explain the GFDL by real journalists, because the on Wikinews, because I don't think to them; it makes them quite work speaks for itself. The one it is yet particularly nervous. major challenge to that would be comprehensive; I don't know if it the collaborative authorship issue. ever will be. I'd be interested to Matt: Do you believe that (at least Because as in academia, know what you think of that. for non-profit news sources), authorship is significant for releasing material into the public professional journalists, and so I Brian: Wikinews may become domain makes it simpler for them think the idea that something was comprehensive but it will be a to manage/handle? collaboratively authored is hard for difficult process in my opinion. traditional journalists to Brian: or do they not understand understand. Matt: Do you think the reason for PD? this is wikigroaning, such as more SG: The trouble for traditional Matt: Although you have an topics are written in focused areas media is, they don't own the rights account on the english wikinews rather than things of interest to to very much material. They (User:SueGardner), you have the most people? operate inside a web of very never edited. One would assume SG: I agree. And I'm not sure complex agreements with multiple that as a journalist you would use whether or not it should be a goal entities. We used to joke at the this project. Is there any main of the organization. Can I talk for CBC that the only thing we owned reason you don't edit here or do just a second about one of the was nature documentaries. And you just not have time? ways I think news is changing? even those didn't entirely belong SG: I am just too busy. I think
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Brian: It is a "faster" project than based on your experiences at the Wikipedia. Brian: We got great cooperation CBC? SG: I have never heard of on some big stories like the UK SG: Hm. I think it's an incredibly wikigroaning, what an interesting attacks, did big media notice? exciting time to be a journalist. word. But it makes sense to me (Major explosions at UK oil depot, The best advice I could give people that Wikinews would reflect the Coordinated terrorist attack hits is to find excellent, curious, interests of the people who edit it, London) brilliant journalists to learn from. which I imagine is one of the SG: Yes, exactly (re London They might be here, or in a reasons it (and the other WMF bombings). I am not sure how conventional newsroom; it doesn't projects) are successful. (Again, noticed that was. For the matter. Journalism is a craft and the relevance-to-audience issue.) mainstream media, that was when the best way to learn it is to But regarding news... I think it they woke up to the power of surround yourself with really good used to be the case that there was collaborative media themselves. It teachers. I was lucky at the CBC X amount of shelf space for news— was certainly the wakeup call for like, 40 pages of newsprint daily, the BBC, who made a lot of Brian: "Above all, the central or 22 minutes of television time. changes to their newsgathering question about the Wikinews effort So whether it was a busy news process based on the events of is its credibility. "Making a day or a slow news day, that was that day. I think the most newspaper is hard... Someone who the amount of news that got interesting question for Wikinews wants to do it but doesn't really created. And professional is what uniquely you can do, that know how hasn't solved the journalism is still pretty much no-one else can. And I think your problem by gathering a lot of other constructed that way. So if a greatest strength may lie in people who don't know, either." media outlet has a reporter in coverage of really large breaking This is a quote from a former Johannesburg, they get a lot of news events—the [2004] tsunami, editor of Encyclopædia Britannica, news out of South Africa, whether the London bombings, Virginia have we proven him wrong? or not anything particularly Tech. SG: I think most definitely, you interested is happening there. You have proved him wrong. have x shelf space and x Matt: A lot of attention has been Journalism is not a profession: it is resources. What I think changes— given to improving Wikipedia. Do not like being a surgeon or a theoretically—with Wikinews, is you think more attention is needed lawyer. There was an uneasy that you are freed of both those for the other projects? If so, which attempt to professionalize it with constraints. You have limitless ones do you think need more the advent of j-schools etc., post- shelf space and very flexible attention? Watergate. But at its heart, it's resources. Which means, in SG: I think that in a way, that just a craft. And that means that it theory, that you can cover lots of question looks at WMF through the can be practiced by anyone who is stories when there are lots of wrong end of the telescope. I don't sensible and intelligent and stories to cover, and do very little, think the best question is 'do the thoughtful and curious, who when there isn't much going on. other projects need more bothers to learn the rules and do it So I think this is very interesting. attention'—I think the best carefully. I go back to the morning And I think it has implications for question is 'what do our readers of Virginia Tech—the morning I the future of news. People should need from us, and how can we decided I wanted to work here. consume news when there's best give it to them.' I think The conversation on the talk page something interesting to read Wikiquotes, for example, will that day was extremely thoughtful. about. And I think Wikinews has always be smaller than Wikipedia I remember thinking to myself that enormous potential on big stories. in terms of readership, and that's if my own newsroom had been I am very interested to see how fine. Wikinews, I think, needs to having a conversation that that plays out. chart a path that may be quite intelligent (I was offsite that day), different from Wikipedia. And I would have been delighted. So Matt: You may be interested in Commons is an entirely different yes, IMO you absolutely have What Wikinews is not, the first beast as well. So they are all quite proved Robert McHenry wrong. point, Wikinews is not Paper different, with different needs. And you will continue to. SG: Yes, precisely. And when there is a big story, lots of people Thunderhead: What advice can Matt: If you were the interviewer come here to help, I assume. you give to aspiring journalists, here, what else would you have
If you would like to write, publish or edit articles, visit www.wikinews.org Thursday, October 25, 2007 Wikinews Page 11 asked yourself? United Nations. About Wikinews SG: Nothing, really. You guys October 25 is Republic Day in http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/ covered a lot of ground, and it was Kazakhstan (1990); Retrocession or send a letter to extremely interesting & fun for Day in Taiwan; Armed Forces Day Creative Commons me. There is one last thing I would in Romania. 543 Howard Street, 5th Floor like to mention though. I was San Francisco, California, 94105, USA talking a little with Ilya about a Quote of the Day To view a copy of the GFDL, visit: proposal he's been working on for For out of olde feldes, as men http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html the Knight Foundation, and we seith, Wikipedia Current Events started having what I thought was Cometh al this new corn fro yeer http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Current_events Today in History a quite interesting conversation to yere; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page about the future of Wikinews. This And out of olde bokes, in good Quote of the Day is something that really interests feith, http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Main_Page me, obviously. Cometh al this newe science that Word of the Day http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Main_Page men lere. were to create something (a About Wikinews Print Edition conference, or conversation); I'd ~ Geoffrey Chaucer ~ For more information about Wikinews be interested in doing that with Print Edition visit: you. I am really interested in this Word of the Day http://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Wikinews:Print project. quorum; n 1. The minimum number of Matt: Thank you for your time. members required for a group to officially conduct business and to cast binding Today in History votes. 1147 – Reconquista: Forces under King Afonso I of Portugal captured About Wikinews Lisbon from the Moors after a four- We are a group of volunteer journalists month siege in what would be whose mission is to create a diverse their only success during the community where citizens from around Second Crusade. the globe (including you) can 1616 – The Dutch sailing ship collaborate to report the news on a Eendracht reached Shark Bay on wide variety of current events. By the western coastline of Australia, making our content perpetually available for free redistribution and use, as documented on the Hartog we hope to contribute to a global digital Plate etched by explorer Dirk commons. Hartog. 1875 – The first performance of Got news and no computer? the Piano Concerto No. 1 by Call the Wikinews Hotline Tchaikovsky is given in Boston, +1-866-653-4265 (toll-free in the U.S.) Massachusetts with Hans von +1-202-742-5918 Bülow as soloist. (outside the U.S.) 1922 – The Third Dáil adopted the +44-871-218-6397 Constitution of the Irish Free (U.K. / Europe) State, based on the requirements License of the Anglo-Irish Treaty establishing the first independent This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License. Articles Irish state to be recognised by the published in this Print edition were British. created by Wikinewsies. Other content 1971 – The UN General Assembly released under the GNU Free adopted Resolution 2758, Documentation License. replacing the Republic of China with the People's Republic of China To view a copy of the CC-BY license, as China's representative at the visit:
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