BuzzMachine

The media pundit's pundit. Written by NYC insider Jeff Jarvis, BuzzMachine covers news, media, journalism, and politics.

Wiki this

5 comments on Wiki this

Wiki this

: In a nice feature on Jimmy Wales and Wikinews, there’s this incredible bit from the clearly bitter former editor in chief of Encyclopedia Brittanica.

“Making a newspaper is hard,” said Robert McHenry, former editor in chief of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Someone who wants to do it but doesn’t really know how hasn’t solved the problem by gathering a lot of other people who don’t know, either.”

Mr. McHenry was skeptical about Wikinews’s ability to provide a neutral point of view and its claim to be evenhanded. “The na

5 responses to “Wiki this”

  1. Michael Zimmer Avatar
    Michael Zimmer

    I’m not saying that Wikinews will or should replace news organizations — without reporting, it cannot
    Do you agree, then, that blogs cannot replace news organizations “without reporting”? To me, that’s the primarly difference (currently) – most blogs recycle and comment, but don’t engage in “original” reporting. Given this, news organizations still provide a function, right?

  2. Ed Avatar
    Ed

    Jeff, earlier Robert McHenry laid out a rather stunning display of why wikipedia was not to be trusted, and he did it in a very convincing fashion. Instead of focusing on the personalities involved (which comes easier, I admit, for someone whose journalistic background comes from TV Guide rather than a real journalistic endeavor), you may want to check out what McHenry has to say:
    http://www.techcentralstation.com/111504A.html
    Even defenders of Wikipedia admitted he made a compelling argument, including the co-founder of Wikipedia (Jimmy didn’t launch it on his own, no matter how much he claims otherwise). When you read what McHenry writes, you’ll see that your characterization of him being “bitter” is way off base and he actually has some nice things to say about Wikipedia, calling it an “impressive” achievement.
    But it’s easier to attack someone who doesn’t buy into your blog triumphalism, isn’t it?

  3. Yehudit Avatar
    Yehudit

    I have seen several examples of bias and inaccuracy at Wikipedia, so I doubt Wikinews will be much different.
    Just because something is a bottom-up grassroots volunteer effort doesn’t mean that it’s trustworthy.

  4. Yehudit Avatar
    Yehudit

    Jeff, I just expanded my previous comment.

  5. Bob McHenry Avatar
    Bob McHenry

    I’m not going to take on your whole post, Mr. Jarvis, but I must take issue with one “fact” you cite. If the “$350 million budget” you refer to is meant to represent editorial expense, you’re off by an order of magnitude and then some.