The rationale for our universal code of conduct

In order to realize our vision of a future where everyone may benefit from the accumulation of human knowledge, we think it is important to enable as many individuals as possible to actively participate in Exploremedia projects and places. We think that our contributor communities ought to be as inclusive, varied, and easily reachable as possible. For anyone who joins (or wishes to join), we want these communities to be welcoming, secure, and healthful spaces. By adopting this Code of Conduct and reviewing it for revisions as necessary, we pledge to make sure it stays that way. Additionally, we want to safeguard our initiatives from content tampering or destruction.

According to the goals of Exploremedia, everyone involved in Exploremedia spaces and projects will:

1.Contribute to the creation of a world where everyone is free to access the entirety of information.

2.Join a worldwide community that will refrain from prejudice and bias, and

3.Aim for precision and verifiability in everything of your efforts.

The Universal Code of Conduct (UCoC) establishes a minimal set of standards for appropriate and inappropriate behavior. Everyone who participates in and contributes to Exploremedia projects and venues, whether online and offline, is covered by it. This comprises both novice and seasoned contributors, project managers, event planners and attendees, affiliate employees and board members, and Exploremedia Foundation workers and board members.It is applicable to all Exploremedia initiatives, technical areas, live and online events, and the following situations:

1.Public, semi-public, and private exchanges

2.Community members expressing solidarity and discussing disagreements

3.Technical development concerns Aspects of contributing content

4.Examples of representing communities or affiliations with outside partners

1. Introduction

A standard of conduct for cooperation on Exploremedia projects around the world is provided via the Universal Code of Conduct. While keeping the standards outlined here as a minimum, communities can build upon this to create rules that consider local and cultural context.

All Exploremedians are subject to the Universal Code of Conduct, with no exceptions. Sanctions may follow actions that violate the Universal Code of Conduct. These can be enforced by the Exploremedia Foundation, the platforms' legitimate owner, or by designated officials (as suitable in their local context).

2. Expected conduct

Every Exploremedian is accountable for their own actions, regardless of their level of expertise as an editor, community leader, affiliate, board member, or staff member of the Exploremedia Foundation.

Respect, politeness, collegiality, solidarity, and good citizenship will be the cornerstones of behavior in all Exploremedia projects, spaces, and events. Regardless of age, physical appearance, nationality, religion, ethnicity, and cultural background, caste, social class, language proficiency, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, or profession, this is true for all contributors and participants in their interactions with other contributors and participants. Furthermore, we will not grant exceptions on the basis of status, abilities, or achievements within the Exploremedia movement or projects.

2.1: Respect for one another

All Exploremedians are expected to treat others with dignity. We will respect one another when interacting with others, whether in offline or online Exploremedia settings.

This comprises, though is not restricted to:

Develop empathy. Pay attention and make an effort to comprehend what Exploremedians from various backgrounds have to say. Be prepared to question and modify your own perceptions, standards, and conduct as a Exploremedian.

Assume good faith and make helpful modifications; your input ought to raise the project's or work's caliber. Feedback should be given and received politely and honestly. It's important to offer constructive and considerate criticism. 

Honor the names and descriptions provided by contributors. Individuals may characterize themselves using particular terminology. while it is linguistically or technically possible, use these terms to show respect while speaking with or about these individuals. Examples include: 

1.Ethnic groups may refer to themselves by a particular name instead of the name that other groups have traditionally used;

2.Individuals may have names that contain letters, sounds, or syllables from their native tongue that you are not familiar with;

3.Individuals who use specific names or pronouns to identify with a particular sexual orientation or gender identity;

4.Individuals with specific physical or mental disabilities may refer to themselves using specific terminology. 

2.2-Good citizenship, civility, camaraderie, and mutual support

The following behaviors are what we aim for:

1. Being courteous to others, particularly strangers, is a sign of civility.

2.Collegiality is the cordial assistance that members of a shared endeavor give to one another.

3. Being a good citizen and supporting one another entails actively making sure that Exploremedia projects support the Exploremedia purpose and are safe, enjoyable, and productive environments.

This comprises, though is not restricted to:

Coaching and mentoring: Assisting newcomers in navigating the world and learning necessary skills.

Taking care of other contributors: Offer assistance when required and defend them when their treatment deviates from the Universal Code of Conduct's expected standards.

Acknowledge and give contributions credit for their efforts: Give them credit for their efforts and assistance. Give them credit where credit is due and acknowledge their efforts.

3. Unacceptable conduct

The Universal Code of Conduct seeks to assist members of the community in recognizing instances of inappropriate behavior. The Exploremedia movement views the following actions as inappropriate:

3.1: Intimidation

This covers any actions that are primarily meant to frighten, infuriate, or anger someone, or any actions where this would be logically thought to be the most likely primary result. If a behavior goes beyond what a reasonable individual would be expected to put up with in a multicultural, international setting, it may be deemed harassment. Emotional abuse, particularly directed against those who are vulnerable, is a common kind of harassment. It can involve reaching out to friends, relatives, or coworkers in an attempt to embarrass or threaten them. Sometimes, repeated actions that wouldn't qualify as harassment in a single instance can turn into harassment. Instances of harassment include, but are not restricted to:

Insulting, the use of slurs or stereotypes, and any attacks based on personal traits are all considered insults. Intelligence, appearance, ethnicity, color, religion (or lack thereof), culture, caste, sexual orientation, gender, sex, disability, age, country, political affiliation, and other perceived traits can all be considered insults. Sometimes, even though a single word wouldn't qualify as an insult, repeated aggressiveness, sarcasm, or mocking would.

Sexual harassment is defined as any form of sexual attention or advances made to another person when the recipient knows or should reasonably know that the attention is unwanted or when consent cannot be given.

Threats include making threats of bodily harm, unfair humiliation, unwarranted and unjustified reputational injury, or intimidating someone by implying needless legal action to force someone to do something or win an argument.

Promoting harm to others: This includes inciting someone else to carry out violent assaults on a third party or to injure themselves or take their own life.

Disclosure of personal data (doxing) is the practice of disclosing other contributors' private information, including their name, job location, physical address, or email address, without getting their express consent, either on or off Exploremedia projects, or disclosing details about their Exploremedia activity outside of projects.

Hounding is the practice of continuously evaluating someone's work while following them through a project or projects, primarily with the goal of upsetting or discouraging them. Communities may need to use established community procedures to address issues if they persist despite communication and education efforts.

Trolling is the deliberate interruption of discussions or malicious posting intended to cause

3.2: Abuse of influence, privilege, or authority

When someone in a position of actual or perceived privilege, authority, or influence acts disrespectfully, cruelly, or violently toward others, it is considered abuse. It can manifest as verbal or psychological abuse and can coexist with harassment in Exploremedia settings.

The use of power, expertise, or resources available to appointed functionaries, as well as officials and staff of the Exploremedia Foundation or Exploremedia affiliates, to threaten or coerce others is known as abuse of office. 

Abuse of connections and seniority: Using one's standing and reputation to scare people. Since their negative remarks could have an unanticipated repercussion, we expect those with substantial experience and ties in the movement to act with extra caution. others in positions of authority in the community have a special advantage in being seen as trustworthy; they shouldn't take advantage of this to disparage others who disagree with them.

Maliciously making someone question their own senses, perceptions, or comprehension in order to win a debate or coerce someone into acting in a certain way is known as psychological manipulation.

3.3- Abuse of the projects and content vandalism

Intentionally introducing content that is untrue, prejudiced, inaccurate, or unsuitable, or obstructing, impeding, or otherwise impeding the production (and/or upkeep) of content. This comprises, though is not restricted to:

  1. The frequent, arbitrary, or unjustified deletion of any content without proper justification or discussion

  2. methodically modifying content to support particular interpretations of facts or viewpoints (including by cheating or purposefully misrepresenting sources and changing the        proper format for editorial content creation)

   3.Any kind of hate speech or discriminatory language intended to degrade, dehumanize, or incite hostility toward people or groups because of their identity or personal        convictions.