Status as of 03:58 (UTC), Thursday, 6 June 2024 (
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The revision process will be conducted in four phases:
The revision process was managed by drafting arbitrators designated by the Arbitration Committee (CaptainEek, L235, Wugapodes). |
![]() | Welcome to the Proposed Decision phase of the discretionary sanctions review. This proposed decision takes into account community feedback from the Phase I and Phase II community consultations. Only arbitrators should edit this page, but all users are highly encouraged to contribute on the talk page. This proposed decision is not yet open for voting. Before any votes are cast on the proposed decision, the community will have a five-day period (until November 18) in which to provide comment on the proposed decision talk page. During this time, the proposed decision will undergo further linguistic and stylistic revisions and arbitrators may post additional proposals and amendments. Following passage of the motion to close, the drafting arbitrators will merge all the successful proposals into a new final text, which will replace the prior discretionary sanctions procedure. This page shows what the merged text would be in the event that all of the proposals pass without amendment. |
On this page, arbitrators will consider proposals for the outcome of the review process. After all the proposals have been voted on, the process will conclude with a motion to close.
Comments are welcome on the talk page. The proposed decision will be posted for five days of community review and comment before arbitrators vote on the proposals in order to allow the Committee to receive suggestions for stylistic or typographical amendment.
The discretionary sanctions (DS) system will be renamed "contentious topics" (CT), and restrictions placed within the DS system will be referred to as "contentious topic restrictions".
The language in subsequent proposals reflects the "contentious topics" and "contentious topic restrictions" language. In the event that an alternative name proposal is passed, the wording will be substituted as appropriate.
In place of "contentious topics", the new name will be "arbitrated topics", and the text of all the proposals will reflect that new name.
Clarify the "in a nutshell" box.
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Contentious topics are specially-designated topics that have attracted more persistent disruptive editing than the rest of the project. Administrators are allowed to impose editing restrictions on editors who do not follow project expectations within contentious topics. Administrators are also allowed to set special rules on pages within a contentious topic to prevent inappropriate editing. |
Add a lead section that describes the ArbCom contentious topics system and describes expectations of editors.
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A special set of rules applies to certain topic areas, which are referred to as contentious topics (abbreviated CT). These are specially-designated topics that have attracted more persistent disruptive editing than the rest of the project and have been designated as contentious topics by the Arbitration Committee.[a] Not all topics that are controversial have been designated as contentious topics – this procedure applies only to those topics designated by the Arbitration Committee (list). When editing a contentious topic, Wikipedia's norms and policies are more strictly enforced and Wikipedia administrators have additional authority to reduce disruption to the project. Editing a contentious topic Within contentious topics, you must edit carefully and constructively, refrain from disrupting the encyclopedia, and:
You should err on the side of caution if you are unsure whether making a particular edit is consistent with these expectations. Within contentious topics, administrators have the ability to set individual restrictions (restrictions on editing by particular editors) and page restrictions (special rules on how particular pages can be edited). Some of these abilities may be exercised by a single administrator while others require a consensus of administrators. All individual and page restrictions may be appealed. |
The current WP:AWARENESS criteria are replaced with an appealable presumption of awareness following an initial alert. The use of the standard template alert becomes optional after a user's first alert.
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When an editor first begins making edits within any contentious topic, anyone may alert the editor of the contentious topic designation using [CT/TOPICNOTICE] template. Only the officially designated templates should be used for an editor's first contentious topic alert, and these templates may not be placed using a bot or other form of automated editing. When alerting an editor who has previously received any contentious topic alert, the [LINK] template may be used, but any message that conveys the contentious topic designation is acceptable.[b] If the enforcing administrator believes that an editor was not aware that they were editing a designating contentious topic when making inappropriate edits, no individual restrictions (other than a logged warning) should be imposed.[c] Once alerted to a specific contentious topic, editors are presumed to remain aware but may attempt to refute this presumption on appeal.[d] |
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Edits to the templates may be approved by the clerks following consultation with the Arbitration Committee.
You have recently made edits related to [CT code], which is a designated contentious topic[LINK]. This standard message is designed as an introduction to contentious topics and does not imply that there are any issues with your editing. A special set of rules applies to certain topic areas, which are referred to as contentious topics. These are specially-designated topics that tend to attract more persistent disruptive editing than the rest of the project and have been designated as contentious topics by the Arbitration Committee. When editing a contentious topic, Wikipedia's norms and policies are more strictly enforced and Wikipedia administrators have additional authority in order to reduce disruption to the project. Within contentious topics, you should edit carefully and constructively, refrain from disrupting the encyclopedia, and:
You should err on the side of caution if unsure whether making a particular edit is consistent with these expectations. If you have any questions about contentious topics procedures you may ask them at the arbitration clerks' noticeboard [LINK] or you may learn more about this contentious topic [LINK TO TOPIC-SPECIFIC CT PAGE]. You may also choose to note which contentious topics you know about by using the ((Ct/aware)) template.
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Amend the previous proposal by striking the following: and these templates may not be placed using a bot or other form of automated editing
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All contentious topic restrictions (and logged warnings) may be appealed. Only the restricted editor may appeal an individual restriction. Any editor may appeal a page restriction. The appeal process has three possible stages. An editor appealing a restriction may:
Changing or revoking a contentious topic restrictionAdministrators have the authority to revoke or change a contentious topic restriction if and only if:
An appeal is successful only if one of the following agrees with revoking or changing the contentious topic restriction:
Any administrator who revokes or changes a contentious topic restriction out of process (i.e. without the above conditions being met) may, at the discretion of the Arbitration Committee, be desysopped. The limits in this section do not apply to restrictions imposed by a single administrator that have lost their status as contentious topic restriction under #Individual restrictions or #Page restrictions. Standard of reviewOn community reviewUninvolved administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE") and uninvolved editors at the administrators' noticeboard ("AN") should revoke or modify a contentious topic restriction on appeal if:
On Arbitration Committee reviewArbitrators hearing an appeal at a request for amendment ("ARCA") will generally overturn a contentious topic restriction only if:
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Amend the previous proposal by adding the following text immediately before the "Changing or revoking a contentious topic restriction" header:
A rough consensus of administrators AE may specify a period of up to one year during which no appeals (other than a stage 3 appeal) may be submitted.
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Administrators may impose contentious topic restrictions in contentious topic areas. Those contentious topic restrictions take the form of individual restrictions and page restrictions. Unless otherwise specified, contentious topics are broadly construed; this contentious topics procedure applies to all pages broadly related to a topic, as well as parts of other pages that are related to the topic.[f]
Administrators may impose restrictions on editors ("individual restrictions") in contentious topics who do not follow the expectations listed in #Editing a contentious topic as a contentious topic restriction. The restrictions that can be imposed depend on whether the action is taken by a single administrator or by a rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE"). Any uninvolved administrator may impose the following individual restrictions, which constitute the "standard set" of individual restrictions:
A rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE") may impose any restriction from the standard set above and any other reasonable measures that are necessary and proportionate for the smooth running of the project and may do so for any length of time, including indefinitely. If imposed by a single administrator, these individual restrictions lose their status as "contentious topic restrictions" one year after being imposed (if not sooner expired). After that time, these restrictions may be modified or revoked by any uninvolved administrator like an ordinary administrator action without going through the appeals and amendments process.
Administrators may impose special rules and restrictions that apply to pages within contentious topics ("page restrictions") to minimise disruption as a contentious topic restriction. These page restrictions apply to all editors editing the restricted page. The restrictions that can be imposed depend on whether the action is taken by a single administrator or by a rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE"). Any uninvolved administrator may impose the following page restrictions, which constitute the "standard set" of page restrictions:
A rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE") may impose any restriction from the standard set above and any other reasonable measures that are necessary and proportionate for the smooth running of the project and may do so for any length of time including indefinitely. If imposed by a single administrator, these page restrictions lose their status as "contentious topic restrictions" one year after being imposed or renewed (if not sooner expired). After that time, these restrictions may be renewed, modified, or revoked by any uninvolved administrator like an ordinary administrator action without going through the appeals and amendments process.
If an uninvolved administrator (including the original enforcing administrator) decides that a page restriction is still necessary after one year, the administrator may renew the restriction by re-imposing it under this procedure and logging the renewal. The administrator renewing a page restriction then becomes the enforcing administrator. This does not apply to page restrictions imposed by consensus at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard.
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Amend the previous proposal by modifying the second-to-last paragraph of "Individual restrictions" to read as follows:
A rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE") may impose any restriction from the standard set above and any other reasonable measures that are necessary and proportionate for the smooth running of the project
and may do so for any length of time, including indefinitely. These measures may have any duration, including indefinite, except that sitewide blocks are limited to one year in duration.
Clarifies how restrictions are enforced.
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Editors must comply with restrictions even if they disagree with the action. Editors who disagree with a restriction may appeal it, but the restriction remains in effect until it is revoked or modified by an administrator. Edits that breach an individual or page restriction may be reverted.[i] If an editor breaches an individual restriction, the editor may be blocked and further enforcement actions may be taken to enforce the restriction. Administrators may apply an individual restriction to an editor who breaches a page restriction if:
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Makes explicit that
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Administrators may warn editors for conduct that falls short of the expectations in a contentious topic. Administrators may choose to log warnings in the arbitration enforcement log. Warnings that are logged in the arbitration enforcement log may be appealed like other individual restrictions. An editor may be warned even if the editor was not previously aware that their editing occurred in a contentious topic. |
The Arbitration Committee will, acting through its members, clerks, and other editors designated by the Committee, maintain instructions for enforcing administrators.
The Arbitration Committee will, acting through its members, clerks, and other editors designated by the Committee, maintain a subpage of the contentious topics procedure listing relevant information including:
The Arbitration Committee will, acting through its members, clerks, and other editors designated by the Committee, modify contentious topics editnotices and talk page notices with the following broad goals:
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Contentious topics may be designated either as part of the final decision of an arbitration case or by Arbitration Committee motion. When it becomes apparent that a particular contentious topic designation is no longer necessary, the Committee may rescind it. Any editor may request that the Committee review a contentious topic designation by submitting a request for amendment ("ARCA"). Unless the Committee specifies otherwise, after rescinding a designation, all restrictions previously-issued under that designation remain in force and continue to be governed by the contentious topics procedure. |
Reducing and simplifying the language around logging
Contentious topic restrictions must be recorded in the arbitration enforcement log by the administrator who takes the action.[j] Administrators who renew, change, or revoke a contentious topic restriction must append a note recording the amendment to the original log entry.
Administrators should clearly and unambiguously label their actions as contentious topic restrictions (such as in the block summary, page protection summary, edit summary, or talk page message announcing the action, whichever is appropriate).[k]
Establishes transition rules from discretionary sanctions to contentious topics.
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Any restrictions imposed under the prior discretionary sanctions procedure to date remain in force. Any changes to or appeals regarding previously-imposed restrictions will be governed by the current contentious topics procedure, subject to the following transitional rules:
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Reducing and simplifying the language
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Administrators should seek to create an acceptable collaborative editing environment within contentious topics. Administrators are expected to use their experience and judgment to balance the need to assume good faith, to avoid biting genuine newcomers and to allow responsible contributors maximum editing freedom with the need to keep edit-warring, battleground conduct, and disruptive behaviour to a minimum. Before imposing a contentious topic restriction, administrators must consider whether a regular administrative action would be sufficient to reduce disruption to the project. While contentious topic restrictions give administrators necessary latitude, administrators must not:
Administrators who fail to meet these expectations may be subject to any remedy the committee considers appropriate, including desysopping. Administrative actions may be peer-reviewed using the regular appeal processes. Former administrators – that is, editors who have temporarily or permanently relinquished the tools or have been desysopped – may neither act as administrators in arbitration enforcement nor reverse their own previous administrative actions. Administrator expectations
Enforcing administrators are accountable and must explain their enforcement actions; and they must not be involved. Prior routine enforcement interactions, prior administrator participation in enforcement discussions, or when an otherwise uninvolved administrator refers a matter to AE to elicit the opinion of other administrators or refers a matter to the committee at ARCA, do not constitute or create involvement. Administrators may not adjudicate their own actions at any appeal. However, they are encouraged to provide statements and comments to assist in reaching a determination. Enforcing administrators are expected to exercise good judgment by responding flexibly and proportionately when they intervene. Except for the cases when the Arbitration Committee has predetermined the set of escalating sanctions to be imposed for violations of a final decision, the severity of the sanction imposed should be commensurate with all circumstances of the case at hand, including the seriousness of the violation and the possible recidivism of the editor in question. When dealing with first or isolated instances of borderline misconduct, informal advice may be more effective in the long term than a sanction. Conversely, editors engaging in egregious or sustained misconduct should be dealt with robustly. Administrators do not need explicit consensus to enforce arbitration decisions and can always act unilaterally. However, when the case is not clear-cut they are encouraged, before acting, to seek input from their colleagues at arbitration enforcement. When a consensus of uninvolved administrators is emerging in a discussion, administrators willing to overrule their colleagues should act with caution and must explain their reasons on request. |
Incorporates AE scope into ArbCom procedure. Allows community to use AE noticeboard for its own version of contentious topics by consensus.
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The arbitration enforcement noticeboard may consider:
For all other matters, including content disagreements or the enforcement of other community-imposed sanctions, editors should use the other fora described in the dispute resolution process. To appeal decisions made directly by the Arbitration Committee, editors should submit a request for clarification or amendment.
Requests and appeals at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard may not be closed with a "rough consensus" or "clear consensus" outcome without at least 24 hours of discussion. |
Sample language for community use of the AE noticeboard
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I propose that the AE noticeboard be a venue for enforcement requests and appeals for the community-imposed general sanctions currently in effect for professional wrestling.
I propose that the community-imposed general sanctions currently in effect for professional wrestling be amended to read as follows: Old (to be replaced)
New (to be enacted)
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Amend the previous proposal by striking the last bullet point of "Noticeboard scope".
Reaffirms existing practice
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Before imposing a delegated enforcement action, administrators must consider whether a regular administrative action would be sufficient to reduce disruption to the project. |
Authorizes arbitrators and clerks, after consulting ArbCom, to update and maintain AE templates and docs, including for CT (e.g. alert templates, editnotices, case-specific pages)
Arbitrators and arbitration clerks may, after consultation with the Arbitration Committee, update and maintain templates and procedural documents related to arbitration enforcement processes (including the contentious topics system).
Retains the "Decorum" section verbatim.
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Certain pages (including the arbitration enforcement noticeboard ("AE"), the administrators' noticeboard ("AN"), and the Arbitration Committee's requests for amendment ("ARCA")) are used for the fair, well-informed, and timely resolution of individual and page restrictions. Editors participating in enforcement cases must disclose fully their involvement with parties (if any). While good-faith statements are welcome, editors are expected to discuss only evidence and procedure; they are not expected to trade insults or engage in character assassination. Insults and personal attacks, soapboxing and casting aspersions are as unacceptable in enforcement discussions as elsewhere on Wikipedia. Uninvolved administrators are asked to ensure that enforcement cases are not disrupted, and may remove statements or restrict or block editors to address inappropriate conduct. |
Each reference to the prior discretionary sanctions procedure shall be treated as a reference to the contentious topics procedure. The arbitration clerks are directed to amend all existing remedies authorizing discretionary sanctions to instead designate contentious topics.
Allows a consensus of administrators at AE to refer cases "in extraordinary circumstances" to the full Committee for decision.
If a rough consensus of administrators at the arbitration enforcement noticeboard determines that unusual circumstances prevent the arbitration enforcement process from reaching a successful outcome, it may refer the enforcement request to the Arbitration Committee for final decision through a request for amendment.
The above proposals that are supported by an absolute majority of unrecused active arbitrators are hereby enacted. The drafting arbitrators (CaptainEek, L235, and Wugapodes) are directed to take the actions necessary to bring the proposals enacted by this motion into effect, including by amending the procedures at WP:AC/P and WP:AC/DS.
The Arbitration Committee thanks all those who have participated in the 2021-22 discretionary sanctions review process and all who have helped bring it to a successful conclusion. This motion concludes the 2021-22 discretionary sanctions review process.