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Wikipedia Bars Edits From Scientology Addresses

Move is site's first such action against major organization

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 29, 2009 10:24 AM CDT

(Newser) – In an unusually broad push against posting biased content, Wikipedia’s “supreme court” has banned edits from IP addresses associated with Scientology headquarters and its affiliates, the Register reports. The Wikipedia Arbitration Committee voted 10-0 for the ban. Individual “Wikifiddlers” have had their privileges revoked in the past, but the move is the site’s first crackdown on a well-known group for a self-promotional breach.

The site says it opposes users editing “to promote their own interests.” Site administrators, concerned about “Wikipedia's reputation for neutrality," had observed the editing of Scientology articles “from Church of Scientology equipment and apparently coordinating their activities.” Said a former Scientology official: “The guys I worked with posted every day all day” on the Web, aiming “to refute any facts from the Internet about the Church of Scientology.”

Pedestrians walk past the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.
Pedestrians walk past the Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre International Sunday, Nov. 23, 2008, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Ric Francis)
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, answers a question during an interview with the Associated Press Friday, June 29, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, answers a question during an interview with the Associated Press Friday, June 29, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Fla.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Church of Scientology artwork appears on the church's new Flag Building,  in Clearwater, Fla., Aug. 28, 2007.
Church of Scientology artwork appears on the church's new Flag Building, in Clearwater, Fla., Aug. 28, 2007.   (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Derni
May 29, 2009 8:15 AM CDT
And on the 1st day man created god-so he would feel safe and not alone.
Robert_Dada
May 29, 2009 7:00 AM CDT
I feel for anyone trapped by any religion.
inky
May 29, 2009 3:39 AM CDT
A good step. An even better one would be to bar anyone from quoting anything from Wikipedia.

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