IETF Discussion List Charter

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The IETF discussion list [IETF-DISCUSS] furthers the development and specification of Internet technology through the general discussion of technical, procedural, operational and other topics for which no dedicated mailing lists exists. As this is the most general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude in terms of topics is allowed. However, there are posts and topics that are unsuitable for this mailing list. This document defines the charter for the IETF discussion list and explains its scope.¶

The IETF Note Well [NOTE-WELL] applies to discussions on the IETF discussion list and all other IETF mailing lists, and requires conformance with the IETF Guidelines for Conduct [RFC7154] and the Anti-Harassment Policy [RFC7776], among others.¶

This document obsoletes [RFC3005], documenting the use of other mailing lists for discussions that used to be in scope for the IETF discussion list, referring to applicable policies such as the Guidelines for Conduct [RFC7154] and the Anti-Harassment Policy [RFC7776], and clarifying moderation procedures. It also updates part of Section 1 of [RFC3683], which copies the list of "inappropriate postings" from [RFC3005]. This list in [RFC3683] is hence updated by the new list in Section 2 below.¶

2. Charter for the IETF Discussion List

The IETF discussion list is meant for discussions for which a more appropriate list does not exist, such as discussions that do not fall within the scope of any working group, area, or other established list. When discussions are started on the IETF discussion list for which such a venue does exist, they should be continued at that other venue as soon as this is pointed out.¶

When no dedicated mailing list exists for a topic, it may be preferable to request the creation of one [NON-WG-LISTS] and announce the availability of the new list on the IETF discussion list and on other related lists, such as area lists, rather than discussing that topic on the IETF discussion list.¶

Appropriate postings to the IETF discussion list include:¶

• Initial discussion of technical issues that are candidates for IETF work, but have not yet identified appropriate mailing lists.¶
• Questions and clarifications concerning practical aspects of IETF meetings, although most of these topics are better brought up on the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues [ADMIN-DISCUSS] or the attendee discussion list for a given IETF meeting.¶
• Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are sponsored or endorsed by the IETF, IRTF, IAB or the Internet Society, although the IETF announcement list [IETF-ANNOUNCE] is the preferred list for these.¶
• Discussions of IETF direction, policy, and the standards process in general, when a more suitable list (such as the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues [ADMIN-DISCUSS], the IAB discussion list for architectural issues [ARCH-DISCUSS], a meeting attendees list, a process-oriented WG list, etc.) cannot be identified.¶

These topics used to be in scope for the IETF discussion list, but have since moved to dedicated lists:¶

• Last Call discussions of documents now take place on the IETF Last Calls mailing list [LAST-CALLS].¶
• Discussion of IETF administrative policies now takes place on the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues [ADMIN-DISCUSS].¶

Inappropriate postings include:¶

• Advertising and other unsolicited bulk e-mail¶
• Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings, activities, or technical topics¶
• Uncivil commentary, regardless of the general subject, per the IETF Note Well [NOTE-WELL]¶
• Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not sponsored or endorsed by the Internet Society or the IETF.¶

3. Moderation

The IETF Chair appoints Moderators (previously known as the "sergeant-at-arms") for the IETF discussion list that are empowered to restrict posting by a person, or to an email thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a pattern of abuse. They are encouraged to take into account the overall nature of the postings by an individual and whether particular postings are an aberration or typical.¶

Moderation of the IETF discussion list, including the handling of any appeals, is to be guided by the IETF discussion list charter specified in Section 2, and the related guidance from Section 1 that applies to all mailing lists. The moderators are intended to establish a self-moderation function on the community, by the community. Because the IESG and IAB are in the appeals chain for moderator decisions (see below), the IETF Chair therefore should not appoint a moderator who is serving in such a role. If a moderator is selected for the IESG or IAB, they will step down from the moderator team.¶

Apart from appointing moderators, the IETF Chair should refrain from the day-to-day operation and management of the moderator team. The moderator team will independently define, publish, and execute their role; see the current set of operating procedures [MOD-SOP] and abuse patterns [MOD-UPC]. The moderator team should reach out to the IETF Chair for any conflict resolution in a timely manner.¶

Because a moderator serves at the discretion of the IETF Chair - even if the IETF Chair is not otherwise involved in the operation of the moderator team - any moderator decision can be appealed to the IETF Chair, per [RFC2026]. Decisions by the IETF Chair can be appealed to the IESG as whole, again per [RFC2026].¶

4. Security Considerations

The usual security considerations [RFC3552] do not apply to this document.¶

Potential abuse of the moderation process for the suppression of undesired opinions is counteracted by the availability of an appeals process, per Section 3.¶

5. IANA Considerations

This document does not request any IANA actions.¶

Appendix A. Changes

Acknowledgements

The following people have made contributions to this document:¶

• Adrian Farrel¶
• Barry Leiba¶
• Ben Kaduk¶
• Brian Carpenter¶
• Carsten Bormann¶
• Christian Huitema¶
• Dhruv Dhody¶
• Eric Rescorla¶
• Eric Vyncke¶
• Francesca Palombini¶
• John Scudder¶
• Lloyd Wood¶
• Martin Thomson¶
• Robert Wilton¶
• S Moonesamy¶
• Stephen Farrell¶

Susan R. Harris authored [RFC3005], which this document replaces.¶

Author's Address