2025 Code of Conduct policy maintenance and modernization

[justwheel]

Summary

Propose a series of updates to the Code of Conduct Clarifying Notes and Statements documentation to reflect best practices and approaches taken by the Committee in 2025.

Background

This is a tracking issue to give a home to this conversation and keep track of it over time.

Details

Needs review of @riecatnor recommendations.

Outcome

• More resilient and empathetic updates to how Fedora handles Code of Conduct issues in our community

[justwheel]

I reached out to Red Hat Legal for input on adding language to the Fedora Code of Conduct with respect to retaliation. I drafted language for a potential addition to the Fedora Code of Conduct. Before opening it for community review, I wanted to take my due diligence and receive legal input on draft text to refine it first, before presenting it to the entire Fedora community:

Our Stance on Retaliation

The Fedora Project is committed to ensuring that community members feel safe and empowered to report concerns without fear of negative consequences. We do not tolerate retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports a potential violation of this Code of Conduct or assists in its investigation.

Protection for Reporters and Participants

No one should face threats, harassment, discrimination, or any other form of retaliation for:

• Making a good faith report of behavior they believe violates this Code of Conduct.
• Participating in the investigation of a Code of Conduct report, including serving as a witness or providing information. This protection explicitly extends to members of the Fedora Code of Conduct Committee in the execution of their duties.

"Good faith" means that you honestly believe the information you are providing is accurate, even if an investigation does not ultimately confirm the violation.

Acts of retaliation are serious violations of this Code of Conduct. The Fedora Code of Conduct Committee will address any confirmed instance of retaliation with appropriate corrective action, consistent with the enforcement of other Code of Conduct violations. If you believe you are being retaliated against, please report it to the Code of Conduct Committee using the same reporting channels outlined in the "Reporting and Enforcement" section.

Addressing False Reports

We expect all community members to act responsibly when making reports. The Fedora Code of Conduct Committee will investigate all reports. If the Committee determines, after thorough investigation, that a report was intentionally made with false information and with malicious intent (for example, to harass or silence someone), this action itself will be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct. An unsubstantiated report, when made in good faith, is not considered a false report.