Hi all,
Has there been any discussion to start a new Wikimedia project focusing on fact checking?
Fact checking of course is in the core of editing Wikipedia, but I was thinking about
dedicated wiki-site that is dedicated for fact checking of current events and news. Why
this would be important?
(1) There are many fact checking site in the English speaking world but much less
elsewhere. I am afraid that there is still greater need for fact checking in the rest of
the world. {{Citation needed}}
(2) Our community is very well educated to do fact checking the wiki-way. Again
internationally, many of our community members are real fact champions in their home
countries and language groups. The practice of Wikipedia could be applied to fact checking
of fast moving current events and news, too.
(3) This could help us to get new young people to the movement, as editing Wikipedias is
not anymore so easy to start (because they are so good already).
(4) In many parts of the world, fact checking can also be dangerous. With our anonymous
and community driven practices and services we could protect the fact checkers in many
parts of the world.
I am not sure what is the state of the Wikinews, but my impression is that it is not
really working. It was a good idea, but maybe wiki or wiki-way is not the way to produce
news. Also the beautiful idea of citizen journalism has not really become reality. Maybe
we could try if wiki and the wki-way works better in fact checking.
Peace,
- Teemu