Frank Ahrens of the Washington Post wrote an article this weekend criticizing the wikipedia for its handling of the death of Ken Lay, arguing the same tired trope that has been played out again and again:
Unlike, say, the Encyclopedia Britannica, Wikipedia has no formal peer review for its articles. They may be written by experts or insane crazy people. Or worse, insane crazy people with an agenda. And Internet access.
Ahrens’ complaint would be valid if it only applied to the wikipedia. He was troubled by the fact that the entry for Ken Lay went through a series of incorrect entries, some of them entirely specious, before finally being corrected (with citations) within 4-5 hours. Pretty impressive, for an unregulated community, I say, but Ahrens disagrees, and offers this insight:
But here’s the dread fear with Wikipedia: It combines the global reach and authoritative bearing of an Internet encyclopedia with the worst elements of radicalized bloggers. You step into a blog, you know what you’re getting. But if you search an encyclopedia, it’s fair to expect something else. Actual facts, say. At its worst, Wikipedia is an active deception, a powerful piece of agitprop, not information.
There are a number of problems with this argument, not the least of which is that people do know what they are getting with the wikipedia. It’s apparent that the site is a community generated resource, and that there will often be factual errors. The larger problem with this argument, though, is the unstated alternative that Ahrens seems to be suggesting–that mainstream media accounts of breaking events are factually more accurate.
Think about any breaking news story that you can remember from the past five years. Does the responsible mainstream media wait until the facts are known before reporting, or is the viewer assaulted with an endless cacophony of speculation by reporters in the field and analysts in the studio? Consider the events of 9/11. While admirable in a number of ways, the coverage also repeated factually inaccurate information for hours, about car bombs at the State Department, seven airplanes being hijacked, and attacks at Camp David, for instance. Shouldn’t the responsible media have verified its source before reporting that day?
The differences between the wikipedia and mainstream ‘instant news’ coverage are critical, and instructive. The media is presumed to be skilled at accurately conveying breaking news objectively, while most Internet users understand the nature of collaboratives sites like the wikipedia. What’s more, the very history that Ahrens used to condemn the wikipedia is something the media lacks–can the average viewer go back and see the mistakes and misinformation in a television newscast? Not without access to expensive services like Lexis/Nexis. The wiki’s transparency is not a sign of its untrustworthiness at all, but a sign of its strength.
The mistakes of ‘citizen journalists’ and contributors to the wikipedia are not excused by the failures of the media, but at what point does the media drop its cloak of holier-than-thou objectivity and accuracy?
Article by Don Pogreba
Don is an English/Debate teacher and debate handbook author who lives in Helena, MT, and who can't imagine living anywhere other than this glorious state. Much of his writing happens late at night and he is unlikely to respond to your comments during the day.
{ 149 comments }
← Previous Comments
You have great info on this site… I think it’s super informative! Thanks again!
I enjoy your piece of work, appreciate it for all the useful blog posts.
we know of still lots of really good free dating sites you can find accepting members
Great to be going to your web site again, that continues to be weeks for me.
You have great info on this site… I think it’s great! Thanks!
I really enjoyed this.
what i wanted to say is i really need some rest and that this blog is starting to look good
what supr bowl is this?
Lovely site! I will be loving it!! Are going to be back later to see a few more. We’re taking your feeds also
I just could not leave your site before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard info a person provide in your guests? Is gonna be again regularly in order to investigate cross-check new posts.
not on topic but i need to know if i can get hired by an online blogger
Dead written articles, thanks for entropy. “He who establishes his argument by noise and command shows that his reason is weak.” by Michel de Montaigne.
I will right away grasp your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me understand in order that I may subscribe. Thanks.
Bonjour les amis quel est votre avis de mon nouveau site sur le diagnostic immobilier?
. Now, every U.S soldier is taking computer gaming as a possible essential part because of their coaching and recruitment.Advanced technology is applied to create items like satellite technology, jet engines, hi-tech computers along with technologies and in this whole process an electric parts company plays a major role.
Hi there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new updates.
Hi! Great blog!
Dude, please tell me that youre going to publish far more. I notice you havent written another weblog for a while (Im just catching up myself). Your weblog is just too important to become missed. Youve acquired so much to say, this kind of knowledge about this topic it would be a shame to see this blog disappear. The internet needs you, man!
Bookmarked this blog and look forward to coming back again. Great job!
I must say, as very much as I enjoyed reading what you had to say, I couldnt help but lose interest after a while. Its as if you had a fantastic grasp to the subject matter, but you forgot to include your readers. Perhaps you should think about this from a lot more than one angle. Or maybe you shouldnt generalise so much. Its better if you think about what others may have to say instead of just heading for a gut reaction to the subject. Think about adjusting your personal believed process and giving others who may read this the benefit of the doubt.
I am normally to blogging and i genuinely appreciate your web site content material. This content has genuinely peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your internet web site and maintain checking choosing information.
Hello persons I just wished to stop by your weblog as well as check in so I can drop my link. I wish that you locate our subject matter as practical as I did yours! We are a hands on type of operation, so if you have virtually any questions about our products satisfy let us understand!
Great – I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
I originally relocated to South Florida 5 years ago (2007). I hung out down here for about 9 months at that time and progressed to straggle around the country. Inside a year of deserting I decided to come back for good, it was the reeffishing that called me back. Presently there is absolutely nothing like it, if you have never ever fished South Florida before long you are missing out– that simple.
Have you ever thought about publishing an e-book or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same information you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e-mail.
I initially relocated to Southern Florida 5 year or soes ago (2007). I remained down here for about 9 months at that time and progressed to ramble around the nation. Within a year of leaving I decided to come back for good, it was the fishing that called me back. There’s is nothing like it, if you have never ever fished South Florida then you are missing out– that simple.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me and my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more clear from this post. I am very glad to see such wonderful info being shared freely out there.
I really like your writing style, superb info , thanks for posting : D.
I conceive other website proprietors should take this internet site as an example , very clean and wonderful user genial pattern . “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” by Aesop.
You have great info on this site… I think it’s phenomenal! Thank you!
wow very cool blog i had to ask you what kind of blog are you using
Hey there would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with? I’m looking to start my own blog soon but I’m having a difficult time making a decision between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique. P.S Sorry for being off-topic but I had to ask!
Never gave it excessively thougt. Nevertheless which include the blog design. Will unquestionably go back for many more. Great!
Astounding template, lastly located a place for unique textures
appreciate you sharing your notions, I havenпїЅпїЅt consider this before, keep posting mate!
One more thing. I do believe that there are many travel insurance sites of trustworthy companies than enable you to enter your journey details and get you the estimates. You can also purchase the international holiday insurance policy on internet by using the credit card. All that you should do would be to enter the travel specifics and you can understand the plans side-by-side. You only need to find the system that suits your budget and needs and then use your credit card to buy the item. Travel insurance online is a good way to begin looking for a reputable company pertaining to international holiday insurance. Thanks for discussing your ideas.
I adore this blog, will certainly come back. Make sure you continue producing good quality articles.
Hello just wanted to give you a brief heads up and let you know a few of the images aren’t loading properly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to “return the favor?I am trying to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use some of your ideas!!
this style of writing is actually a true skill and art form! great perform I commend anybody with a skill at writing like yours.
Really good information can be found on blog .
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for!
Mira hair oil scam
Great article !!! Thanks for Sharing
We prefer to fix apples iphone as well as have the ability to help you by having almost anything that you require. all you have to do happens to be go over our brand-new content. we happen to be wanting to get some direct exposure online so we needed to stop by your site and see if we coud have any of you to visit our iphone patch website. this is the site to be if you require ibroke llc
This is a very Interesting post! Thank you for the information!
Sound under-developed? It is.
Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossips and net and this is really annoying. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for keeping this web site, I will be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can not find it.
We needed to stop in and extend you people the possibility to drop by our website so that you are able to check out our outstanding product. Our staff and consumer support team are amazing and we recognize that we can easily fulfill your demands. Our strengths happen to be a great deal higher than our rivals and prefer to observe you flourish by having us on your side. If there happens to be everything we can do, satisfy let us realize. 100 % client pleasure is our number one aim.
← Previous Comments
Comments on this entry are closed.
{ 2 trackbacks }