[WikiEN-l] Saucy Sources, reliable and re : libel.

[William Pietri]

Fred Bauder wrote:
>> P.S. Although impishness is a big part of my character, I'm not looking
>> to make trouble with this one. Although the necessity irks me, I accept
>> that the WMF's legal budget is not infinite, and we have to pick our
>> battles carefully.
>>     
>
> Yes, but keep in mind that winning is almost as expensive as losing. If
> you think the Arbcom is bad, try the courts.
>   

Oh, I agree. I'm fortunate enough never to have personally been involved 
with the courts, but I've seen it happen to a couple people close to me. 
I would strongly rather avoid suits altogether.

I think we won't be able to do that forever, though. We have the same 
problem that first-rank newspapers do. Our readers value us to the 
extent we can give them the straight scoop on whatever it is they're 
looking up.

If it becomes known that we can be bullied into whitewashing articles, 
we take a double hit. First, our readers will lose some confidence in 
us, suspecting perfectly good articles just because somebody with money 
or power might care to influence them. Second, because they see a better 
chance at succeeding, the number of people willing to try intimidating 
us will go up.

It's definitely a Scylla-and-Charybdis situation. Disaster on either 
side, and the path between is narrow and fraught.

William

-- 
William Pietri <william at scissor.com>
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:William_Pietri