« BBC Doesn't Deny HR Report Findings |
Main
| A Mideast Lesson For Greenway »
AFP Bans Wiki, Facebook As Sources
Wikipedia and Facebook are useful for research, but relying on either as a "source" is risky. I hope other papers follow AFP's action.
(Hat tip: Micropersuasion)
Posted at
01:54 PM
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b7869e200e5501fd8708833
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference AFP Bans Wiki, Facebook As Sources:
Wikipedia has a policy of neutrality that is meticulously enforced daily by thousands of editors. This is exactly why they are banning it, lest an unexperienced writer would mistakenly write a balanced article!
Posted by: Manny at Jan 22, 2008 7:24:33 PM
It may have a policy of neutrality but how well that is enforced depends on how well the editors of a specific article make sure ist in place.
In practice, many Wikipedia articles have mistakes and bias. Yes, they can rollback a page if it is changed inappropriately, but there is no guarentee that at any given time a specific page would be "bias free".
Thus, I agree. Great for research, lousy for sourcing. Reporters can and should use it as a jumping point but should make sure they know their stuff beyond that.
Posted by: Avrom at Jan 23, 2008 1:35:46 AM
[Comments are held for approval before appearing.]
|
