Changes

# The Wikipedia page to do with [[David Seaman (American journalist)]] was locked and setup for deletion in December 2016 due to his investigation into [[PizzaGate]], as indicated on the Wikipedia talk page.<ref>[http://www.oneangrygamer.net/2016/12/youtube-censors-pizzagate-videos-trump-staff-fired-following-pizzagate-tweet/18427/ YouTube Censors PizzaGate Videos; Trump Staff Fired Following PizzaGate Tweet]</ref> Before his page was deleted, some editors such as User:Simtropolitan suggested using more reliable sources, writing, ''“if nothing else his very public firing from the Huffington Post at the height of the election warrants keeping this, but only as a stub if sources like ZeroHedge keep being cited. Reliable sources do exist, he has worked with networks that are not [fringe sources], don’t be a reactionary and cite blogs that have “Tyler Durden” as their author. Even if you want to make a villain out of him for Pizzagate, people much less relevant to current events like David Icke have long, well-cited articles here. I am not saying that Seaman is the same as Icke, but this is relevant to current events. The article can and should be improved upon however.”'' David Seaman's dismissal from [[Huffington Post]] was also covered by [[Real Clear Politics]], along with receiving coverage from [[The Daily Caller]]. However, even those weren’t considered reliable enough for the Wikipedia censors.<ref>[http://www.oneangrygamer.net/2016/12/wikipedia-deletes-david-seaman-entry-following-his-pizzagate-coverage/19050/ Wikipedia Deletes David Seaman Entry Following His PizzaGate Coverage]</ref>

# The Wikipedia page to do with [[David Seaman (American journalist)]] was locked and setup for deletion in December 2016 due to his investigation into [[PizzaGate]], as indicated on the Wikipedia talk page.<ref>[http://www.oneangrygamer.net/2016/12/youtube-censors-pizzagate-videos-trump-staff-fired-following-pizzagate-tweet/18427/ YouTube Censors PizzaGate Videos; Trump Staff Fired Following PizzaGate Tweet]</ref> Before his page was deleted, some editors such as User:Simtropolitan suggested using more reliable sources, writing, ''“if nothing else his very public firing from the Huffington Post at the height of the election warrants keeping this, but only as a stub if sources like ZeroHedge keep being cited. Reliable sources do exist, he has worked with networks that are not [fringe sources], don’t be a reactionary and cite blogs that have “Tyler Durden” as their author. Even if you want to make a villain out of him for Pizzagate, people much less relevant to current events like David Icke have long, well-cited articles here. I am not saying that Seaman is the same as Icke, but this is relevant to current events. The article can and should be improved upon however.”'' David Seaman's dismissal from [[Huffington Post]] was also covered by [[Real Clear Politics]], along with receiving coverage from [[The Daily Caller]]. However, even those weren’t considered reliable enough for the Wikipedia censors.<ref>[http://www.oneangrygamer.net/2016/12/wikipedia-deletes-david-seaman-entry-following-his-pizzagate-coverage/19050/ Wikipedia Deletes David Seaman Entry Following His PizzaGate Coverage]</ref>

# Various attempts have been made by Wikipedia users to point out the liberal bias of online fact checker [[Snopes]].<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snopes.com&oldid=755626326</ref> User:Boab added a sentence to the Accuracy section of the article suggesting that Snopes has been accused of liberal bias. In support of this claim, User:Boab provided the following 2016 references:<ref>http://dailycaller.com/2016/06/17/fact-checking-snopes-websites-political-fact-checker-is-just-a-failed-liberal-blogger/</ref><ref>https://ethicsalarms.com/2016/07/31/bye-bye-snopes-youre-dead-to-me-now/</ref><ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262720/snopes-attack-front-page-shows-how-incompetent-it-daniel-greenfield</ref><ref>http://mynewsla.com/hollywood/2016/06/20/snopes-vs-daily-caller-fact-checker-hit-as-hillary-backer/</ref> <ref>https://jdlong.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/snopes-com-exposed-left-wing-website-not-quite-the-impartial-arbiter-of-truth/</ref><ref>http://www.angrypatriotmovement.com/who-is-behind-snopes/</ref><ref>[http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/snopes-got-snoped/60681 Snopes Got Snoped]</ref>

# Various attempts have been made by Wikipedia users to point out the liberal bias of online fact checker [[Snopes]].<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Snopes.com&oldid=755626326</ref> User:Boab added a sentence to the Accuracy section of the article suggesting that Snopes has been accused of liberal bias. In support of this claim, User:Boab provided the following 2016 references:<ref>http://dailycaller.com/2016/06/17/fact-checking-snopes-websites-political-fact-checker-is-just-a-failed-liberal-blogger/</ref><ref>https://ethicsalarms.com/2016/07/31/bye-bye-snopes-youre-dead-to-me-now/</ref><ref>http://www.frontpagemag.com/point/262720/snopes-attack-front-page-shows-how-incompetent-it-daniel-greenfield</ref><ref>http://mynewsla.com/hollywood/2016/06/20/snopes-vs-daily-caller-fact-checker-hit-as-hillary-backer/</ref> <ref>https://jdlong.wordpress.com/2010/04/05/snopes-com-exposed-left-wing-website-not-quite-the-impartial-arbiter-of-truth/</ref><ref>http://www.angrypatriotmovement.com/who-is-behind-snopes/</ref><ref>[http://www.fromthetrenchesworldreport.com/snopes-got-snoped/60681 Snopes Got Snoped]</ref>

::Despite the large number of references provided (some of which were from non-conservative sources), a cabal of administrators on the site insisted that none of them were valid and/or that they had to be deleted from the page. Although User:Boab also provided the list of references under the talk page of the site, this list of references was archived away into obscurity due to complaints by active page users that the references were cluttering up the talk page.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&oldid=755716965 (See discussion #27: "Boab: InfoWars is reliable, Snopes isn't")</ref>

::Despite the large number of references provided (some of which were from non-conservative sources), a cabal of administrators on the site insisted that none of them were valid and/or that they had to be deleted from the page. Although User:Boab also provided the list of references under the talk page of the site, this list of references was archived away into obscurity due to complaints by User:Dbrodbeck that the references were cluttering up the talk page.<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia:Administrators%27_noticeboard/Incidents&oldid=755716965 (See discussion #27: "Boab: InfoWars is reliable, Snopes isn't")</ref>

=== Liberal Politicians ===

=== Liberal Politicians ===

#The Wikipedia article of [[Alex Jones]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Jones_(radio_host)&oldid=755574598</ref> describes the InfoWars host as follows (as of December 18, 2016): "Alexander Emerick "Alex" Jones (born February 11, 1974) is an American radio show host, documentary filmmaker, writer, and conspiracy theorist. He hosts The Alex Jones Show from Austin, Texas, which airs on the Genesis Communications Network and shortwave radio station WWCR across the United States and online. His website, InfoWars.com, has been labelled a fake news website."

#The Wikipedia article of [[Alex Jones]]<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alex_Jones_(radio_host)&oldid=755574598</ref> describes the InfoWars host as follows (as of December 18, 2016): "Alexander Emerick "Alex" Jones (born February 11, 1974) is an American radio show host, documentary filmmaker, writer, and conspiracy theorist. He hosts The Alex Jones Show from Austin, Texas, which airs on the Genesis Communications Network and shortwave radio station WWCR across the United States and online. His website, InfoWars.com, has been labelled a fake news website."

::Although InfoWars has over 3 million subscribers and was more accurate that the New York Times (currently on the verge of bankruptcy) in predicting the outcome of the 2016 election, InfoWars has been irrevocably labeled as a "fake news website" in the introductory paragraph about Alex Jones. Any attempts to alter this description on Wikipedia will be met with swift resistance from a cabal of left-wing administrators whose goal it is to paint Jones as an illegitimate crackpot. While attempting to challenge the claim of InfoWars as a "fake news website," User:Boab was banned indefinitely from Wikipedia for "Disruptive editing: Pushing fringe theories and displaying a belligerent BATTLEGROUND approach to disputes."<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Boab&oldid=755441776</ref>

::Although InfoWars has over 3 million subscribers and was more accurate that the New York Times (currently on the verge of bankruptcy) in predicting the outcome of the 2016 election, InfoWars has been irrevocably labeled as a "fake news website" in the introductory paragraph about Alex Jones. Any attempts to alter this description on Wikipedia will be met with swift resistance from a cabal of left-wing administrators whose goal it is to paint Jones as an illegitimate crackpot. While attempting to challenge the claim of InfoWars as a "fake news website," User:Boab was banned indefinitely from Wikipedia (by User:TheBladeofNorthernLights and User:Ian.thompson) for "Disruptive editing: Pushing fringe theories and displaying a belligerent BATTLEGROUND approach to disputes."<ref>https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Boab&oldid=755441776</ref>

=== Naziism, Socialism, Communism ===

=== Naziism, Socialism, Communism ===

Wikipedia relies upon volunteer administrators to maintain the accountability of the website and enforce its rules.  The number of administrators continues to shrink.  In January 2008, there were 1,011 administrators, but the number dropped to 661 in November 2012, and as of June 2016, the number stands at 539.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_administrators/stat_table|title=Wikipedia:List of administrators/stat table|accessdate=July 27, 2016}}</ref> The number drops because the process of selecting new administrators subjects each candidate to extensive abuse.  If the action of Wikipedia administrators appear very odd, perhaps it is because the actions are the product of anonymous, very young people or, in some cases, of mentally ill people.  For example, sysop Altenmann was  desysopped and community-banned in April 2010 for sockpuppeting and improper closure of deletion discussions over a period of several years.  He admitted mental illness and has been unbanned.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration_Committee/Noticeboard&oldid=491693521</ref>

Wikipedia relies upon volunteer administrators to maintain the accountability of the website and enforce its rules.  The number of administrators continues to shrink.  In January 2008, there were 1,011 administrators, but the number dropped to 661 in November 2012, and as of June 2016, the number stands at 539.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:List_of_administrators/stat_table|title=Wikipedia:List of administrators/stat table|accessdate=July 27, 2016}}</ref> The number drops because the process of selecting new administrators subjects each candidate to extensive abuse.  If the action of Wikipedia administrators appear very odd, perhaps it is because the actions are the product of anonymous, very young people or, in some cases, of mentally ill people.  For example, sysop Altenmann was  desysopped and community-banned in April 2010 for sockpuppeting and improper closure of deletion discussions over a period of several years.  He admitted mental illness and has been unbanned.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wikipedia_talk:Arbitration_Committee/Noticeboard&oldid=491693521</ref>

Fundametally, the owner of a website is accountable for its governance and contents.  To qualify for a tax exemption, Wikipedia is owned by the [[Wikimedia Foundation]] (WMF) that has a Board of Directors and a paid professional staff of 146.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/FAQ/en|title=Frequently asked questions|accessdate=February 7, 2013}}</ref>  However, the WMF, its Board and Staff disavow any accountability for the Wikipedia encyclopedia.  Instead, co-founder Jimmy Wales claims ultimate authority for it, and acts as the executive/monarch on whatever he chooses.  For example, although the Wikipedia Arbitration Committee is selected in an election, Wales accepts the election results and appoints the new members.  As recently as September 2013, Wales claims to have the right to overturn Arbitration Committee decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Jimbo_Wales&diff=571759721&oldid=571756060If|title=User Talk:Jimbo Wales|date=September 6, 2013}}</ref> If a person has a complaint about being falsely libled by Wikipedia, the WMF disavows any control of the matter and hides behind Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. So, the WMF has a legal incentive to maintain a "hands off" approach to content disputes. Its Board and Staff collect the charitable donations and meet IRS requirements, but Wales and the volunteer editors maintain the biased, defamatory site.

Fundamentally, the owner of a website is accountable for its governance and contents.  To qualify for a tax exemption, Wikipedia is owned by the [[Wikimedia Foundation]] (WMF) that has a Board of Directors and a paid professional staff of 146.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/FAQ/en|title=Frequently asked questions|accessdate=February 7, 2013}}</ref>  However, the WMF, its Board and Staff disavow any accountability for the Wikipedia encyclopedia.  Instead, co-founder Jimmy Wales claims ultimate authority for it, and acts as the executive/monarch on whatever he chooses.  For example, although the Wikipedia Arbitration Committee is selected in an election, Wales accepts the election results and appoints the new members.  As recently as September 2013, Wales claims to have the right to overturn Arbitration Committee decisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User_talk:Jimbo_Wales&diff=571759721&oldid=571756060If|title=User Talk:Jimbo Wales|date=September 6, 2013}}</ref> If a person has a complaint about being falsely libled by Wikipedia, the WMF disavows any control of the matter and hides behind Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. So, the WMF has a legal incentive to maintain a "hands off" approach to content disputes. Its Board and Staff collect the charitable donations and meet IRS requirements, but Wales and the volunteer editors maintain the biased, defamatory site.

There have been lawsuits against Wikipedia and its editors.  For example, Theodore Katsanevas, a Greek politician sued a Wikipedia editor and the WMF to seek removal of allegedly defamatory materials from the Greek Wikipedia.  A Greek Court granted a preliminary injunction requiring the removal of material, but other editors have added it back in and have translated the biography with the offending material into 20 other languages.  A full trial is expected in 2016, and the WMF has promised to pay all of the defendants' legal fees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blog.wikimedia.org/2014/02/14/wikimedia-foundation-supports-wikipedia-user-subject-to-defamation-lawsuit-in-greece/|title=Wikimedia Foundation supports Wikipedia user subject to defamation lawsuit in Greece|work=Wikimedia Blog|date=February 14, 2014|accessdate=March 20, 2014}}</ref>

There have been lawsuits against Wikipedia and its editors.  For example, Theodore Katsanevas, a Greek politician sued a Wikipedia editor and the WMF to seek removal of allegedly defamatory materials from the Greek Wikipedia.  A Greek Court granted a preliminary injunction requiring the removal of material, but other editors have added it back in and have translated the biography with the offending material into 20 other languages.  A full trial is expected in 2016, and the WMF has promised to pay all of the defendants' legal fees.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://blog.wikimedia.org/2014/02/14/wikimedia-foundation-supports-wikipedia-user-subject-to-defamation-lawsuit-in-greece/|title=Wikimedia Foundation supports Wikipedia user subject to defamation lawsuit in Greece|work=Wikimedia Blog|date=February 14, 2014|accessdate=March 20, 2014}}</ref>