October 02, 2008

"Wikipedia Vandal Study - US Senate"

[I received this press release from Gregory Kohs. I haven't thoroughly examined the material, but it looks interesting - also they're asking for diggs]

Fatigue has set in, and what with the collapse of the US economy on the Senate's mind, we have decided that our study of Wikipedia vandalism against the 100 articles about US Senators should simply be released to the public, without an accompanying letter-writing campaign to Capitol Hill.

However, I am hoping that the alternative and mainstream media could enhance public awareness of the problems of inaccuracy, hatred, and defamation on Wikipedia -- all protected by the Section 230 written into law by the very august body of legislators now vandalized.

Everything you need to write a story is found here:

http://wikipediareview.com/index.php?showtopic=20565

I am available for commentary about the study's managers and methodology.

Catchy headlines are aplenty:

"93,000 Wikipedia readers learn that John McCain was born in Florida, where the Panama Canal is"

"Sen. Ted Stevens didn't just get free home improvements, he participated in kinky sex adventures, too (according to Wikipedia)"

"John McCain 'sucked a few <BLEEP> in his life', per about 14,000 readers of Wikipedia"

Okay, some of these headlines could be a challenge for editorial review.

Kindly,

[Gregory Kohs]

By Seth Finkelstein | posted in wikipedia | on October 02, 2008 11:59 PM (Infothought permalink)
Seth Finkelstein's Infothought blog (Wikipedia, Google, censorware, and an inside view of net-politics) - Syndicate site (subscribe, RSS)

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Comments

Seth, which is worse? That this sort of hurtful and defamatory vandalism happens on Wikipedia, or that nobody in senior management of the Foundation seems to care?

Posted by: Gregory Kohs at October 14, 2008 01:43 PM