Did the KGB really try to recruit Conservative leader David Cameron? Has Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg slept with 3,000 women?
Did the KGB really try to recruit Conservative leader David Cameron? Has Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg slept with 3,000 women?
Wikipedia vandals tend to be anonymous
Wikipedia vandals tend to be anonymous
Of course not, but in the crazy, alternative world of Wikipedia vandalism - the term the site uses for deliberately false information being inserted into entries - anything is possible.
Of course not, but in the crazy, alternative world of Wikipedia vandalism - the term the site uses for deliberately false information being inserted into entries - anything is possible.
The popular online encyclopedia's great strength - and critics say its greatest weakness - is that the vast majority of its 2.7 million entries can be instantly edited by anyone.
The popular online encyclopedia's great strength - and critics say its greatest weakness - is that the vast majority of its 2.7 million entries can be instantly edited by anyone.
And in the never ending battle to gain political advantage, that can prove irresistible.
And in the never ending battle to gain political advantage, that can prove irresistible.
The Conservative Party was caught out last month tampering with an entry on the painter Titian. An over-enthusiastic researcher altered the age of the artist's death in an attempt to help leader David Cameron win an obscure political argument with Gordon Brown.
The Conservative Party was caught out last month tampering with an entry on the painter Titian. An over-enthusiastic researcher altered the age of the artist's death in an attempt to help leader David Cameron win an obscure political argument with Gordon Brown.
This could be seen, at a stretch, as part of the normal editing process that goes on all the time on Wikipedia, with contributors battling it out until a common form of words is agreed.
This could be seen, at a stretch, as part of the normal editing process that goes on all the time on Wikipedia, with contributors battling it out until a common form of words is agreed.
But some contributors have more mischievous intent.
But some contributors have more mischievous intent.
He should become a stand-up comedian because his face just makes you laugh Vandalism on David Cameron's Wikipedia page
He should become a stand-up comedian because his face just makes you laugh Vandalism on David Cameron's Wikipedia page
Log on to the site at various points in the past few weeks and you will have read that Mr Cameron, whose page was visited 72,441 times last month, is a typical product of aristocratic "inbreeding", was nearly recruited by the KGB when he was a student and that his Daddy bought him the Conservative Party.
Log on to the site at various points in the past few weeks and you will have read that Mr Cameron, whose page was visited 72,441 times last month, is a typical product of aristocratic "inbreeding", was nearly recruited by the KGB when he was a student and that his Daddy bought him the Conservative Party.
You will also have read that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, whose page was viewed 8,589 times last month, is a "namby pamby liberal" and a "sanctimonious straw man" yet despite these apparent handicaps has slept with up to 3,000 women and become a member of hip hop collective the Wu Tang Clan.
You will also have read that Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, whose page was viewed 8,589 times last month, is a "namby pamby liberal" and a "sanctimonious straw man" yet despite these apparent handicaps has slept with up to 3,000 women and become a member of hip hop collective the Wu Tang Clan.
Balance
Balance
On a few occasions, the entire text of Clegg and Cameron's respective pages, running to several thousand words each, were deleted and briefly replaced by a single lewd - or just plain surreal - line of text, in most cases far too libellous or offensive to be repeated here.
On a few occasions, the entire text of Clegg and Cameron's respective pages, running to several thousand words each, were deleted and briefly replaced by a single lewd - or just plain surreal - line of text, in most cases far too libellous or offensive to be repeated here.
Comments have also been added to biographical information, such as the observation that Mr Cameron "first and foremost, tries to be really cool. He should become a stand-up comedian because his face just makes you laugh. Look at it.....see, you can't help but chuckle!".
Comments have also been added to biographical information, such as the observation that Mr Cameron "first and foremost, tries to be really cool. He should become a stand-up comedian because his face just makes you laugh. Look at it.....see, you can't help but chuckle!".
I think it would be in Wikipedia's own interest to maintain its impartiality and crack down hard on acts of political vandalism Martin Horwood, Lib Dem MP
I think it would be in Wikipedia's own interest to maintain its impartiality and crack down hard on acts of political vandalism Martin Horwood, Lib Dem MP
Obviously false, malicious or biased material like this is normally removed within minutes by Wikipedia's team of volunteer administrators, who work round-the-clock to try and improve its credibility as a source of information and its commitment to balance and consensus.
Obviously false, malicious or biased material like this is normally removed within minutes by Wikipedia's team of volunteer administrators, who work round-the-clock to try and improve its credibility as a source of information and its commitment to balance and consensus.
Occasionally they will take more drastic action, such as blocking contributors or placing a lock on a page.
Occasionally they will take more drastic action, such as blocking contributors or placing a lock on a page.
The site administrators were forced to place temporary editing restrictions on Mr Cameron's page on 11 February, the day of the Titian row, "due to excessive vandalism".
The site administrators were forced to place temporary editing restrictions on Mr Cameron's page on 11 February, the day of the Titian row, "due to excessive vandalism".
Gordon Brown's Wikipedia page, which was viewed 145,513 times last month, by contrast, enjoys "semi protected" status all the time, meaning it can not be modified by anonymous users.
Gordon Brown's Wikipedia page, which was viewed 145,513 times last month, by contrast, enjoys "semi protected" status all the time, meaning it can not be modified by anonymous users.
This is a privilege accorded to only a handful of figures, such as US President Barack Obama and his predecessor George Bush, whose Wikipedia pages have been subject to "heavy and persistent vandalism or violations of content policy".
This is a privilege accorded to only a handful of figures, such as US President Barack Obama and his predecessor George Bush, whose Wikipedia pages have been subject to "heavy and persistent vandalism or violations of content policy".
Subtle alterations
Subtle alterations
As a result, the edits to Mr Brown's page tend to be restricted to minor factual or style points or the ongoing search for a more flattering picture.
As a result, the edits to Mr Brown's page tend to be restricted to minor factual or style points or the ongoing search for a more flattering picture.
But even this does not protect the prime minister from vandalism entirely.
But even this does not protect the prime minister from vandalism entirely.
In January a very long and bawdy poem appeared without warning in the middle of a passage on Mr Brown's political accomplishments.
In January a very long and bawdy poem appeared without warning in the middle of a passage on Mr Brown's political accomplishments.
"Sorry, could not resist," wrote the person responsible, who had a previously blameless record of contributions to the site: "This guy has really got to me, lost my job today... so f**k you Brown."
"Sorry, could not resist," wrote the person responsible, who had a previously blameless record of contributions to the site: "This guy has really got to me, lost my job today... so f**k you Brown."
This kind of vandalism, mostly carried out by people who are identified only by their computer's unique IP address number, may be a source of irritation or amusement for web users searching for information.
This kind of vandalism, mostly carried out by people who are identified only by their computer's unique IP address number, may be a source of irritation or amusement for web users searching for information.
What is more worrying, for MPs and other elected representatives, are the subtle alterations and additions made to their Wikipedia pages, which the passing voter might take as fact.
What is more worrying, for MPs and other elected representatives, are the subtle alterations and additions made to their Wikipedia pages, which the passing voter might take as fact.
'Responsibility'
'Responsibility'
Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood was alarmed to discover his Wikipedia entry, which in keeping with the conventions of the site was not written by him, had been altered in a way he believed would harm his chances of retaining his seat.
Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood was alarmed to discover his Wikipedia entry, which in keeping with the conventions of the site was not written by him, had been altered in a way he believed would harm his chances of retaining his seat.
The Cheltenham MP was wary of altering the page himself, having been warned by Wikipedia administrators in the past that this was considered bad form.
The Cheltenham MP was wary of altering the page himself, having been warned by Wikipedia administrators in the past that this was considered bad form.
In the end, he managed, with the help of a tech-literate friend, to find a form of words that passed muster with the administrators and neutralised his concerns about bias.
In the end, he managed, with the help of a tech-literate friend, to find a form of words that passed muster with the administrators and neutralised his concerns about bias.
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales wants tighter editing restrictions
Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales wants tighter editing restrictions
With his seat being one of the battleground marginals at the next election he feels can not afford to have inaccurate information about him presented as impartial fact.
With his seat being one of the battleground marginals at the next election he feels can not afford to have inaccurate information about him presented as impartial fact.
Mr Horwood's experience is far from unusual and is likely to become even more common as the next general election approaches.
Mr Horwood's experience is far from unusual and is likely to become even more common as the next general election approaches.
"An election does place a little bit of responsibility on Wikipedia and its volunteers to take extra care," he says.
"An election does place a little bit of responsibility on Wikipedia and its volunteers to take extra care," he says.
"I think it would be in Wikipedia's own interest to maintain its impartiality and crack down hard on acts of political vandalism.
"I think it would be in Wikipedia's own interest to maintain its impartiality and crack down hard on acts of political vandalism.
"It is a fantastic and impartial source, that is its great value, so it would be a shame if it allowed its pages to become 'point of view' pages."
"It is a fantastic and impartial source, that is its great value, so it would be a shame if it allowed its pages to become 'point of view' pages."
'Correcting errors'
'Correcting errors'
Britain's political parties are all aware of Wikipedia's power. The site's pages for David Cameron and Nick Clegg are ranked second on Google searches behind their own official sites. In Gordon Brown's case it is the top link.
Britain's political parties are all aware of Wikipedia's power. The site's pages for David Cameron and Nick Clegg are ranked second on Google searches behind their own official sites. In Gordon Brown's case it is the top link.
In the 2008 US primaries, candidates' Wikipedia entries ranked higher on Google than their own websites for 25% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans, according to research by the Tech President website.
In the 2008 US primaries, candidates' Wikipedia entries ranked higher on Google than their own websites for 25% of Democrats and 60% of Republicans, according to research by the Tech President website.
In the UK, the main parties all monitor Wikipedia for errors and bias - but they are reluctant to criticise something which is generally seen as a force for good.
In the UK, the main parties all monitor Wikipedia for errors and bias - but they are reluctant to criticise something which is generally seen as a force for good.
Labour and the Conservatives both declined to comment when contacted for this article.
Labour and the Conservatives both declined to comment when contacted for this article.
Mark Pack, the Liberal Democrats' internet guru, argues that the site had a much better track record than most newspapers, when it comes to corrections.
Mark Pack, the Liberal Democrats' internet guru, argues that the site had a much better track record than most newspapers, when it comes to corrections.
"Wikipedia is probably more prone to errors than other sources, but it is also much more prone to correcting errors," he says.
"Wikipedia is probably more prone to errors than other sources, but it is also much more prone to correcting errors," he says.
But he adds: "There is a tendency to only see it as acceptable to remove information if it is factually incorrect or extremely trivial."
But he adds: "There is a tendency to only see it as acceptable to remove information if it is factually incorrect or extremely trivial."
Policy change
Policy change
This means, he argues, that the site can sometimes be "unbalanced" in the way it presents information.
This means, he argues, that the site can sometimes be "unbalanced" in the way it presents information.
"The main weakness is that you do not get a good pen portrait of people," he argues.
"The main weakness is that you do not get a good pen portrait of people," he argues.
There is growing concern in the US about Wikipedia vandalism, after false reports of the death of two prominent US politicians, Senators Robert Byrd and Edward Kennedy, appeared on the site.
There is growing concern in the US about Wikipedia vandalism, after false reports of the death of two prominent US politicians, Senators Robert Byrd and Edward Kennedy, appeared on the site.
The errors were quickly corrected but they prompted Wikipedia's co-founder Jimmy Wales to press the case for a tightening up of its editing policy.
The errors were quickly corrected but they prompted Wikipedia's co-founder Jimmy Wales to press the case for a tightening up of its editing policy.
In future, any changes may need to be approved by a group of editors before being made live.
In future, any changes may need to be approved by a group of editors before being made live.
Mr Wales believes such a move will improve accuracy - but it has not gone down well with some Wikipedia users who argue it goes against the egalitarian spirit of the site.
Mr Wales believes such a move will improve accuracy - but it has not gone down well with some Wikipedia users who argue it goes against the egalitarian spirit of the site.
So for now, and to the dismay or delight of many in British politics, Wikipedia remains an untamed and unspun corner of the internet, with all the good and bad things that can mean.
So for now, and to the dismay or delight of many in British politics, Wikipedia remains an untamed and unspun corner of the internet, with all the good and bad things that can mean.
Do you think politicians' Wikipedia pages should be protected? Add your comments using the form below.
Do you think politicians' Wikipedia pages should be protected? Add your comments using the form below.
If these entries are so sensitive, subject to vandalism and likely to lead to "Unbalance" why don't all these bodies just agree to prevent any political portraits appearing on Wiki.
Personally, whilst you can't "trust" as truth what is on Wiki it should realistically be only used as one of the references anyone should use.M Thompson, Winsford, Cheshire
