Anyone can contribute to Wikipedia, the vast online encyclopedia. But the complexity of connecting with this online collaborative community poses challenges. The debate about whether, and to what extent, PR professionals should edit their organization’s or clients’ Wikipedia entries brings up ethical questions about transparency and conflict of interest.
Last month’s issue of CW Bulletin, IABC’s electronic newsletter, looked at the situation from a variety of viewpoints: examining ethical concerns, offering guidance on how to effectively engage with the Wikipedia community, and looking at how to overcome the chasm between the PR profession and the Wikipedia community.
Read the following articles in CW Bulletin:
- “Bold Steps in Connecting PR and Wikipedia,” by Neville Hobson, ABC
- “A Lesson in PR Ethics and Wikipedia,” by Mark Estes, ABC
- “Ethical Wikipedia Strategies for Brands,” by David King
- “To Edit or Not to Edit: PR firms and Wikipedia,” by Austin Buckley