Hello all,
What are the 'allowed' subjects in Wikinews? I have read the mission statement and the discussion page, however that basically only says distribute free news that anybody can re-use. So I would like to know, what the welcome subjects, allowed subjects, and un-welcome or prohibited subjects? Is there any info about how the subjects work internationally - what I mean is are there any different rules for different countries, when it comes to Wikinews?
Specifically, it says 'where anyone can write the news'. Let me make a list of some examples (not meaning that I myself will try to write about this, but that I want to know, as that will give me useful information.). Anone, please tell me which are good, and feel free to elaborate a little on why or why not. If it does not say 'original' or 're-writing' then it basically means original reporting.
- Political news, less important reports - Political news, breaking news - Interview with (fairly known) fotball player - Interview with (only locally known, in the city of origin) fotball player - Report from fotball game (national level), only reporting what happened (no interviews, no original photos) - Interview with singer (famous only in country of origin) - Interview with singer (only locally known) - Report from concert (globally known singer, ex: Lady Gaga) - Report from concert (only locally in the small city known singer) - Review of say wines that are nice and good value for price, in the summer (such stories go well in Sweden and the UK generally speaking) - Story about how to make raspberry jam or raspberry pie, with the fresh berries, focusing much on recipes - Story about how to upgrade your Flash (Adobe Flash) for your Windows - Report about Flash, including criticism regarding security - Report about Flash, made as an interview with an expert, who is critical regarding Flash and security - Review of say new I-phone, or other gadget - Report about research on sexual behaviour, like reports about if the G-spot exists or not, based on university scientific reports - Story about say the G-spot, based on only material in say Wikipedia - Story about star, say like Paris Hilton, maybe what diet and skin cleansers they use to stay beautiful - original reporting, interview (maybe by telephone) - Story about star, say like Paris Hilton, maybe what diet and skin cleansers they use to stay beautiful - using exisiting sources on the net and in magazines - Story about the annual fiscal report from some major corporation (at least listed on some stock market) - Consumer stories, like 'the best credit cards for you', or 'the best TV buys for soccer championship', or 'the best internet deals for summer shoe shopping' - Short report about road closures on important roads (like Paris for french wikinews, Helsinki for finnish wikinews, etc), basically just telleing what roads are closed for work and when - Re-printing a press release from say Safeway, about opening a new super-market (just taking the release more or less literally as-is) - Debate article - relatively neutral, but still with a discernible opinion - Debate article - heavily pro one opinion, but researched and with fact references - Debate article - heavily pro one opinion, without much research
Yes, many examples, but it will give me a better picture of what is in demand. It is not necessary to comment each of them.
Next question:
What is most important currently, for english Wikinews? If I was 'a site owner', then I would first look for readership (whether the site was commercial or non-commercial), secondly reputation and influence in society, and probably also productivity, quality, appreciation by readers, and of course making a profit if commercial. However, what are the vital points, at the moment, for english Wikinews?
Best Regards from Jan Wikiphoto, in Sweden janwikifoto@mail.cameraman.se