Wednesday Post

Anyone can edit information on Wikipedia but there are 1,000 users with "special powers" that try and keep control of things that are posted in line with Wikipedia's guidelines and policies. I'm not sure if they specifically look for false claims but I'm sure if something is reported or if they come across something incorrect, they step in to try and correct it. If someone finds biased or incorrect information, they can either report it or alter it themselves.

Wikipedia has officers that patrol the site for incorrect information. At any time, a user can report a problem and make a request to edit the site with correct information.

Wikipedia

When searching the site of wikipedia I found that they do have administrators that patrol/monitor the site with what is posted/edited on there. Under the about section of wikipedia where it discusses contributors, I found the following: Over 1,000 administrators with special powers ensure that behavior conforms to Wikipedia guidelines and policies. When a few situations are still unresolved after all other consensus remedies have failed, a judicial committee steps in and decides to withdraw or restrict editing privileges or to take other corrective measures. So this just proves that there are people who are trying to make sure that what goes onto the site is truthful and appropriate.

Wikipedia "patrol"

Yes, there are people who "patrol" the site and look for false claims. On the "About-Wikipedia" page they claim that anyone who see intentional vandalism, can be reported or corrected immediately. Wikipedia works hard to be a credible site and they don't want their information to be wrong or criticized. I am sure will all the millions of entries on wikipeida it is hard to catch every detail of false information as found in the Siegenthaler article. It is a good system that users can report the problem fast and have it fixed. If a user finds biased information they can report it and find information of their own and post so the entry is unbiased. I think in the NPR audio clip, i found it interesting that they were saying a lot of the entries were liberal. I am sure in their opinion there are biased entries on wikipidea. If you are just a reader and you find a biased entry you don't agree with then that person should edit the entry themselves and give more information to the entry.

Wednesday Wikipedia Post

Wikipedia does have people who "patrol" the site, looking for errors or bias entries. The people who do so are those who go onto the site to look up information or post information. Wikipedia entries are available to be edited at anytime. If someone finds something that is wrong in an entry, they are able to correct it right away. Wikipedia also allows people to site their information so that others who read the entries can determine the validity of the posts.

The people who add entries to the site do not want it to be full of useless information. They take pride in what they post and do their best to make it a credible site. So, the people who police wikipedia are you and me.

Wednesday's Wacky Wikipedia Response

Yes there are people who "patrol" the Wikipedia site and look for false claims. People or "patrolers"who have accounts on Wiki can easily make changes to anything that they do not approve of. Whether if its massivley offensive and slanderous to society in it's legal terms like what John Seigenthaler experienced from the Wiki-users or minorily offensive to some people based upon their own personal beliefs just like what Andy thought of the "Ghost rider" Article. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Ghost_ride)

It is clear that Wikipedia is trying the best it can to locate its people who write these slanderous posts, like the ones made in the Siegenthaler article and the NPR audio clip. Its very difficult to locate the people who posts stuff because you do not know who posted what in what area. Even though you do know someone did edit the site due to the users blog. Even though you are more likely to locate any discourse community, it may never really be accurate due to many innacurate or non-up-to-date responses.

Response for Wednesday: Wikipedia and Bias

After reading both the Siegenthaler essay and listening to the NPR audio clip, search Wikipedia again to find out how the site deals with bias or incorrect information. Are there people who "patrol" the site and look for false claims? What can users do if they find wrong or biased info? Basically, what is Wikipedia doing to react to claims like the ones made in the Siegenthaler article and the NPR audio clip?

--ejfleitz