User:Ocaasi/Paid editing on Wikipedia

Paid editing or paid advocacy on Wikipedia involves individuals, political groups, governments, organizations, and corporations editing entries related to their self, causes, or work in the collaborative online encyclopedia Wikipedia. Although these edits include minor grammatical or factual changes, significant media attention has revolved around changes which seek to remove negative information and add positive information. Wikipedia is free for anyone to edit, but maintains a neutrality policy. It's official policy on editors who have a conflict of interest discourages editors from working in areas where they would be intentionally or unintentionally biased. Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has argued that editors who have a clear political or financial conflict of interest should not directly edit articles, but instead propose edits indirectly, and seek other editors' feedback.

A number of scandals have revolved upon the revelation of paid editing. In 2006 Wikipedia editor Gregory Kohser, who went by the username "TheKohser" was banned from Wikipedia after he disclosed that he was being paid for some of his work. In 2007 a website called WikiScanner started which allowed one to match the ip addresses of Wikipedia editors with known company and organization offices. Since 2000, when Wikipedia started, it has been revealed or discovered that MyWikiBiz, Microsoft, Fox News, Diebold, the CIA, the Tory Party, Sony, Electronic Arts, Bell Pottinger, Portland Communications, Newt Gingrich, and several other individuals, companies, and politicians have had people from their offices edit their own or related Wikipedia articles.

Several companies exist today which charge for Wikipedia editing. Public relations firms also offer services related to the monitoring and editing of topics on the encyclopedia. As negative press has grown over conflict of interest editing, some public relations professionals have sought to privately and publicly improve the relationship between their industry and Wikipedia, as well as to influence its policies and procedures to be more accommodating of well-intentioned changes. A Facebook group, Corporate Representatives for Ethical Wikipedia Engagement (CREWE) was started to work on this, and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations has also been involved in efforts with Wikipedia's parent organization, the Wikimedia Foundation.

Sources

2000-2006

http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/2005/12/69880

2007

{{cite web|last=Gohring |first=Nancy |url=http://www.infoworld.com/t/applications/microsoft-pays-wikipedia-edits-043 |title=Microsoft pays for Wikipedia edits | Applications |publisher=InfoWorld |date=2007-01-23 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://www.pcworld.com/article/128634/should_microsoft_pay_for_wikipedia_edits.html

{{cite web|last=Bergstein |first=Brian |url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16793247/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/idea-paid-entries-roils-wikipedia/#.TzdCe1xSS90 |title=Idea of paid entries roils Wikipedia - Technology & science - Tech and gadgets - msnbc.com |publisher=MSNBC |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Bergstein |first=Brian |url=http://www.seattlepi.com/business/article/Even-Wikipedia-has-cash-incentives-1226306.php |title=Even Wikipedia has cash incentives |publisher=seattlepi.com |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Zeller |first=Tom |url=http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/01/24/microsoft-caught-trying-to-buy-wikipedia-tweaks/ |title=Microsoft Caught Trying to Buy Wikipedia Tweaks - NYTimes.com |publisher=Thelede.blogs.nytimes.com |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Read |first=Brock |url=http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/wikipedia-blocks-a-pay-for-play-scheme/2796 |title=Wikipedia Blocks a Pay-for-Play Scheme - Wired Campus - The Chronicle of Higher Education |publisher=Chronicle.com |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246400,00.html |title=Microsoft Caught Trying to Change Wikipedia Entries |publisher=Fox News |date=2007-01-24 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07028/756842-96.stm |title=What's wrong with accepting money to write on Wikipedia? |publisher=Post-gazette.com |date=2007-01-28 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/171407/scee-caught-editing-halo-3-wiki/

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/170230/ea-caught-fiddling-wikipedia/?preview=yes

{{cite web|last=Borland |first=John |url=http://www.wired.com/politics/onlinerights/news/2007/08/wiki_tracker?currentPage=all |title=See Who's Editing Wikipedia - Diebold, the CIA, a Campaign |publisher=Wired.com |date=2007-08-14 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://radar.oreilly.com/archives/2007/08/wikipedia-is-on.html

{{cite web|author=Bobbie Johnson, technology correspondent |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/aug/15/wikipedia.corporateaccountability |title=Companies and party aides cast censorious eye over Wikipedia | Technology |publisher=The Guardian |date=2007-08-14 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-475464/CIA-caught-rewriting-Wikipedia-biographies.html

{{cite web|last=Mikkelsen |first=Randall |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/08/16/us-security-wikipedia-idUSN1642896020070816 |title=CIA, FBI computers used for Wikipedia edits |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-08-16 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://news.sky.com/home/business/article/1280112

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293389,00.html

{{cite news|last=Hafner |first=Katie |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/technology/19wikipedia.html?pagewanted=all |title=Seeing Corporate Fingerprints in Wikipedia Edits |publisher=NYTimes.com |date=2007-08-19 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2007-08-19/news/0708190069_1_edited-network-entry |title=Wikipedia editors exposed - Baltimore Sun |publisher=Articles.baltimoresun.com |date=2007-08-19 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite news|last=Hafner |first=Katie |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/19/technology/19iht-wiki.1.7167084.html |title=Corporate editing of Wikipedia revealed - The New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2007-08-19 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-08-24/pm-not-behind-wikipedia-edits/649152

{{cite web|url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2007/09/06/wikiedits.ART_ART_09-06-07_A1_3N7QPN3.html |title=Wikipedia 'editors' have vested interests | The Columbus Dispatch |publisher=Dispatch.com |date=2007-09-06 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://mg.co.za/article/2007-11-09-why-the-idea-of-paid-entries-annoys-wikipedia |title=Why the idea of paid entries annoys Wikipedia - Leisure - Mail & Guardian Online |publisher=Mg.co.za |date=2007-11-09 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite news|last=Cohen |first=Noam |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/03/technology/03wiki.html |title=At Wikipedia, Illustrators May Be Paid - New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2007-12-03 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite news|last=Biuso |first=Emily |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/09/magazine/09wikiscanning.html |title=Wikiscanning - New York Times |publisher=Nytimes.com |date=2007-12-09 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

2008

{{cite web|author=Christopher Williams |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/04/08/phorm_censors_wikipedia/ |title=Phorm admits 'over zealous' editing of Wikipedia article |publisher=The Register|date=2008-04-08 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

2009

{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/24/tech/main2392719.shtml |title=Microsoft Violates Wikipedia's Sacred Rule |publisher=CBS News |date=2009-02-11 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2009/feb/12/gordon-brown-david-cameron-titian

http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/titiangate-conservative-party-caught-vandalising-wikipedia-49301025/

{{cite web|last=Metz |first=Cade |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/05/29/wikipedia_bans_scientology/ |title=Wikipedia bans Church of Scientology |publisher=The Register |date=2009-05-29 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Metz |first=Cade |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/06/12/wikipedia_cash_for_spam/ |title=Jimbo Wales: No one can make money from Wikipedia... ...except me. And maybe this spammer |publisher=The Register |date=2009-06-12 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

2010

{{cite web|last=Lardinois |first=Frederic |url=http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/companies_on_wikipedia_apple_bt_nokia.php |title=Companies on Wikipedia: Apple's Fans Get it Right |publisher=Readwriteweb.com |date=2010-02-17 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

2011

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0411/52705.html

{{cite web|author=12:30PM GMT 08 Dec 2011 |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8942890/Wikipedia-suspends-accounts-over-Bell-Pottinger-claims.html |title=Wikipedia suspends accounts over Bell Pottinger claims |publisher=Telegraph |date=2011-12-08 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite news|author=David Pegg, Oliver Wright |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/wikipedia-founder-attacks-bell-pottinger-for-ethical-blindness-6273836.html |title=Wikipedia founder attacks Bell Pottinger for 'ethical blindness' - UK Politics - UK |publisher=The Independent |date=2011-12-08 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Lee |first=Dave |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16084861 |title=BBC News - Wikipedia investigates PR firm Bell Pottinger's edits |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2011-12-08 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|author=Patrick Wintour, political editor |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2011/dec/06/bell-pottinger-claims-access-politicians |title=Bell Pottinger faces claims it offered rogue regimes access to politicians | Politics |publisher=The Guardian |date=2011-12-05 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Bradshaw |first=Tim |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/0d13cc7e-2104-11e1-8a43-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1m8hnnjVO |title=Wikipedia probes edits by Bell Pottinger |publisher=FT.com |date=2011-12-07 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|author=Kim Bhasin | Dec. 12, 2011, 4:22 PM | 2,772 | 10 |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/pr-firm-bell-pottinger-wikipedia-jimmy-wales-2011-12?nr_email_referer=1 |title=A Big PR Firm Got Caught Editing Its Clients' Wikipedia Pages, And Jimmy Wales Is NOT Amused |publisher=Businessinsider.com |date=2011-12-12 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://prweek.co.uk/uk/news/1109367/Call-transparency-agencies-slam-Bell-Pottingers-Wikipedia-use |title=Call for transparency as agencies slam Bell Pottinger's Wikipedia use | PR & public relations news |publisher=PRWeek |date=2011-12-15 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

2012

{{cite news|author=Oliver Wright |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/lobbying-company-tried-to-wipe-out-wife-beater-beer-references-6284622.html |title=Lobbying company tried to wipe out 'wife beater' beer references - UK Politics - UK |publisher=The Independent |date=2012-01-04 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|author=City Diary |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/citydiary/8990671/Portland-brews-up-row-over-wife-beater-Stella.html |title=Portland brews up row over 'wife-beater' Stella |publisher=Telegraph |date=2012-01-04 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|author=Rebecca Seales |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2082079/Lobby-firm-tries-wife-beater-nickname-Stella-Artois-wiped-Wikipedia-entry.html |title=Lobby firm tries to get 'wife beater' nickname for Stella Artois wiped off Wikipedia entry | Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=2012-01-04 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|author=CIPR 12:21PM, 6th January 2012 2 comments |url=http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/news-opinion/press-releases/105707/cipr-to-work-with-wikipedia-on-clear-guidance-for-pr-profession |title=CIPR to work with Wikipedia on clear guidance for PR profession |publisher=Cipr.co.uk |date=2012-01-06 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.corpcommsmagazine.co.uk/news/2047-cipr-to-work-with-wikipedia |title=CorpComms - News - 2047 Cipr To Work With Wikipedia |publisher=Corpcommsmagazine.co.uk |date=2012-01-09 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://communicatemagazine.co.uk/news/3329-cipr-partners-with-wikipedia |title=Communicate Magazine |publisher=Communicate Magazine |date=2012-01-09 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.prdaily.com/Main/Articles/PR_institute_drafting_Wikipedia_guidelines_for_pub_10504.aspx |title=PR institute drafting Wikipedia guidelines for public relations pros | Articles |publisher=Prdaily.com |date=2012-01-09 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20120110/02160317359/should-pr-people-be-able-to-edit-otherwise-ignored-wikipedia-pages-their-clients-to-correct-errors.shtml |title=Should PR People Be Able To Edit Otherwise Ignored Wikipedia Pages Of Their Clients To Correct Errors? |publisher=Techdirt.com |date=2012-01-10 |accessdate=2012-02-11}}

{{cite web|author=Peter Himler |url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterhimler/2012/01/10/wikipedia-the-pr-pro-friend-or-foe/ |title=Wikipedia & the PR Pro: Friend or Foe? |publisher=Forbes |date=2012-01-10 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/1111702/Portland-welcomes-CIPRs-plans-work-Wikipedia-industry-guidelines |title=Portland welcomes CIPR's plans to work with Wikipedia on industry guidelines | PR & public relations news |publisher=PRWeek |date=2012-01-12 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|last=Bradshaw |first=Tim |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/54b5d7a0-3e0c-11e1-ac9b-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1m8hnnjVO |title=Wikipedia in clash over editing rights |publisher=FT.com |date=2012-01-13 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/news/1112413/Wikipedia-co-founder-Jimmy-Wales-Chimes-Lord-Bell-editing-row |title=Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales and Chime's Lord Bell in editing row | PR & public relations news |publisher=PRWeek |date=2012-01-17 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/opinion/1112555/Danny-Rogers-CIPR-set-bar-high-Wikipedia-code |title=Danny Rogers: CIPR must set bar high on Wikipedia code | PR & public relations news |publisher=PRWeek |date=2012-01-18 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.prweek.com/uk/features/1114954/Wikipedia-Friend-foe/ |title=Wikipedia - Wikipedia: friend or foe? |publisher=Prweek.com |date=2012-02-02 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.techdirt.com/blog.php?d=2&m=2&y=2012 |title=Thursday, February 2, 2012 |publisher=Techdirt |date=2012-02-02 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/jane-wilson/wikipedia-the-real-public_b_1252257.html |title=Jane Wilson: Wikipedia: the real public relations opportunity |publisher=Huffingtonpost.co.uk |date=2012-02-06 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/06/gingrich-spokesman-defends-wikipedia-edits/?hpt=hp_bn3 |title=Gingrich spokesman defends Wikipedia edits – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs |publisher=Politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com |date=2012-02-06 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120206/newt-gingrich-communications-director-alters-wikipedia-page |title=Joe DeSantis, Newt Gingrich's communications director, made over 60 changes to the GOP candidate's Wikipedia page |publisher=GlobalPost |date=2012-02-06 |accessdate=2012-02-12}}