[WikiEN-l] conflict of interest matter - financial contributors (Merkey)

[Joe Szilagyi]

Some may take this as trolling. I do not want it to be seen as such and it's
not my intention, but I saw this and it's beyond the pale. From Merkey:

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Requests_for_comment/Jeffrey_Vernon_Merkey2&diff=prev&oldid=133313257

"Dealing with Major Financial Contributors of the Foundation who Edit
Wikipedia

In general, major financial contributors who edit Wikipedia should be
treated the same way and with the same level of courtesy as anyone else who
edits Wikipedia and they should be required to follow the same rules. These
rules also apply to admins, who, by ARBCOM precedence are expected to adhere
to the highest standards of civility. Financial contributors to the
Foundation contribute more than their time to the project. Some of them
donate or invest in Wikipedia Projects each year many times the life savings
of an ordinary person. Saying this does not matter is inaccurate and a
breach of fiduciary duty owed to the Foundation by those who have been
granted administrative or other privileges. It DOES matter. Not ony do these
people donate their time, they pay for hosting costs, personnel costs,
equipment, and other critical areas where the Foundation needs support, and
not everyone is equal in this regard. This does not entitle them to claim
special treatment, but it does entitle them to the same high level of
conduct and professional stewardship expected from any admin involved with
the project. They should not be subjected to the same treatment the project
reserves for troll or vandal accounts.

If you find yourself in a situation with a major contributor editing
Wikipedia who is problematic, do not threaten them, argue with them, or
debate with them about who is helping Wikipedia more -- from the Foundations
point of view, both parties are contributors, and more so of a person
donating both time and money. Some serious problems for the project may be
created if an admin threatens, argues, or attempts to ban a major financial
contributor from editing. These situations are best handled by more mature
members of the community or of the Foundation, without ever resorting to
threats or implied threats of action. It is said you cannot argue with a
customer in a business setting and the same is true of a major financial
contributor. Be polite. Ask polite questions about their concerns and try to
listen to them, without loosing your temper. Some of the problems
mishandling contributors are:

   - The contributor may feel they are funding a usenet project or
   trolling site and discontinue support.
   - The contributor may have significant contacts or influence in the
   public sector, and either intentionally or unintentionally influence other
   groups to withdraw support.
   - The contributor may have business interests or projects the
   Foundation has time or financial investment into that the general community
   is unaware of, the you may damage or destroy months or years of important
   relationships with a thoughtless act.
   - If a contributor is also in the same business space as the
   foundation, banning a Financial contributor or posting ban notices may
   interfere and harm not only their business enterprises, but the Foundation
   and Wikipedia Projects as a whole, with negative results for everyone
   involved.

If you have strong feelings about the editing of a major financial
contributor, be polite, do not threaten them. Many of these people will take
great offense at being threatened by admins or users since they may feel you
are doing so on servers and equipment they purchased to support the project.

In summation, they should be treated the same way everyone else is treated
who edits. With the same high level of civility and stewardship expected
from an Admin when dealing with any editor or member of the project. And
certainly not subjected to threatening language."




I seriously *like* this person, for having brass balls, but this is just
nuts. No one has responded to the implication/threat on the RFC that
financial contributors are possibly special status.

Regards,
Joe
http://www.joeszilagyi.com