Wikimedia: Difference between revisions

The much vaunted [[wiki ideology]] of "[[neutral point of view]]" is also very strongly criticized: "Though other editors ostensibly correct misinformation, there is no procedure to assure correction and when corrections are made, it can happen hours, days or weeks after the misinformation has been served and forked to readers and to other web services. During election or war-time propaganda campaigns, a few hours of misinformation can be useful. Bomis set the stage on which such misinformation can be presented."  Related to the issue of the independence of the board, there are related claims that Bomis' CEO Wales "states in interviews he hopes to profit from commercial release of a Wikipedia CD, which instead could provide revenue to advance the independant non-profit interests of the Foundation."  This is denied by Wales himself, but, Wales also denies that there are any problems with his ideology or board structure.  He further denies have "any influence" over editorial decisions although he clearly is directly involved in decisions of which users to "ban".

Other [[Wikimedia corruption]] charges involve benefits of running Wikipedia that accrue to the operators of a commercial search engine.

Many dispute Wales' contribution and neutrality.  As recently reported at [[w:Talk:Fallujah]]:  "His work under the title "God King" for several years encouraged new Wikipedia leaders to use cult-like language that discouraged opposition to his views, and to disparage those who offer counterveiling policies.  Bomis's owner Jim Wales set the direction away from a peer-reviewed encyclopedia, and presents as a primary pundit against the feasibility of reviewed encyclopedias in numerous interviews."  This much is factual and verifiable.  Less clear is the impact of this policy, which "driven by Bomis' desire for rapid development, made Wikipedia more available to those who present election-time and war-time misinformation." Obviously this has become an issue in a US election year when there is an ongoing war in [[Iraq]].