Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Wikipedia Adds Editor Review for Some Articles

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 24, 2009 9:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – After riding its users to popularity, Wikipedia is now moving to rein them in, the New York Times reports, by mandating editorial review for articles about living people. The feature, called “flagged revisions,” means an experienced editor will check updates to the free, user-generated online encyclopedia. The change should take effect within weeks, says the nonprofit board that governs the site.

“We are no longer at the point that it is acceptable to throw things at the wall and see what sticks,” says the chairman of the Wikimedia board. “There was a time probably when the community was more forgiving of things that were inaccurate or fudged in some fashion—whether simply misunderstood or an author had some ax to grind. There is less tolerance for that sort of problem now.”

Wikipedia's home page.
Wikipedia's home page.   (Wikipedia.org)
The Wikipedia logo.
The Wikipedia logo.   (Wikipedia.org)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
brawne
Aug 25, 2009 4:42 AM CDT
For me Wikipedia has always been that great neighborhood bar. The guy who served three tours in Vietnam--I'm listening. The woman who spent thirty years at 3M and helped invent a post-it--I'm listening. The guy who invented Gatorade well I'm all ears. And that bookie who explained vigs, pushes and point spreads which are based on probability equations that he's never heard of--fascinating. That guy telling me Bush did 9/11 and Obama is a racist socialist---way too much Dewars.
Altoecko
Aug 25, 2009 3:35 AM CDT
This is a good idea, I just hope the reviewer's edits and revisions are visible just like everyone else's.

More Newser Stories

No One Wants to Edit Wikipedia These Days

Porn Battle Rocks Wiki

Contributors Flee Wikipedia's Stricter Rules

Wales: Wikipedia Changes Exaggerated

Fake Deaths May Force Changes in Wikipedia


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne