The problem is not specific to Wikipedia, people seem to regard the Internet as being outside society and beyond all authority. They thus don't take responsibility for what is put online, because you are free to say whatever you like. And people wonder why governments are trying to restrict online freedoms.
Quite frankly, in some ways I hope they succeed. Wikipedia should not be allowed to absolve itself of any wrongdoing. It's simply untenable to continue publishing unverified information, however quickly someone may fix it. And if you believe fixes are quick in general, you're living in cloud cuckoo land - much of Wikipedia remains unchecked content that someone just saw fit to put there. Mostly harmless, and often correct, but not an acceptable situation nevertheless.
Zoney