[WikiEN-l] let's be honest then

[Stephen Bain]

On 4/1/07, MacGyverMagic/Mgm <macgyvermagic at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> On 3/31/07, Angela <beesley at gmail.com> wrote:
> > One big problem is that this is no longer true. WP:COI prevents
> > correction of articles by those most motivated to correct them.
>
> It doesn't prevent them editing such articles. It even gives them
> tips on how to handle it properly:
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Conflict_of_interest#Editors_who_may_have_a_conflict_of_interest

The literal words may not prevent people editing articles, in theory.
But many are prevented from doing so in practice when certain users
react to *anyone* who may have some connection with the subject by
screaming "conflict of interest".

Just like the problem of unsourced content, it's a problem of people,
not of policies.

-- 
Stephen Bain
stephen.bain at gmail.com