This policy solves the problems that led to the Essjay scandal. It is brief, condensed, to the point, and guaged by community comments, consensus seems likely to occur with it. It will represent an important action when implemented.
The entire policy states:
In all cases where a Wikipedian claims credentials anywhere on the wiki, they should be assumed to be only claims. Wikipedians and the general public should place no credence or weight to such claims unless they have been verified by reliable third-party sources.
Virtues
edit- People can put whatever they want on their user pages.
- Anonymity is preserved.
- Wikipedians do not have to verify anything. Non-cited claims are only claims and are treated as such.
- It allows Wikipedians to cite their claims of credentials to reliable third-party sources if they choose. The weight people give to cited claims is whatever they choose. The weight people give to non-cited claims should be in keeping with the fact that they are non-cited claims.
- The press will never place the onus on Wikipedia. This policy says to the press, in essence, We make no claims that Wikipedians' claims about themselves are true. If you wish to verify Wikipedians' claims of credentials as true, verify them yourself because we have not and will not.
- It is simple but solves the core problem that led to the Essjay scandal!
- It preserves all core values of Wikipedia.
- The Foundation need not be involved.
- It is not socially disruptive.