WikiInfoLit Unit 4 Page 3
A Wikipedia Neutrality Case Study
To see firsthand how contentious and problematic neutrality can be in Wikipedia, first watch An Enduring Wikipedia History: Upholding the Neutral on the Very Controversial Norman Finkelstein.
Then read Wikipedia's entry on Norman Finkelstein.
Supplemental Materials:
Wikipedia Bias: Is There A Neutral Point Of View on George Bush?, by Mark Glaser, PBS.
Unit 4, Activity 1
In the WikiInfoLit Google Group, under the post Unit 4, Question 1, answer these questions:
- The case of Norman Finkelstein's Wikipedia entry shows how difficult, complicated, and contentious achieving neutrality can be. What specific behaviors does Wikipedia require or encourage its Wikieditors to engage in in order to promote a Neutral Point of View?
- Some people passionately believe and can present evidence and logical arguments that Norman Finkelstein is antiSemitic. Others believe equally passionately, and can present evidence and logical arguments that he is not. Wikipedia's solution is to present both sides. Do you think they have presented each side with equal weight? Justify your answer with examples from the Wikipedia article.
- Do you think Wikipedia's Neutral Point of View is the best way to deal with controversial subjects? Why or why not? (Write a short paragraph justifying your opinion.)