Knowledge (XXG)

:Avoiding harm - Knowledge (XXG)

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370:. There is a presumption in favour of privacy, and as such, in most cases, the names should not be restored unless there is a definite consensus to do so. In some such cases, editors should avoid quoting the names themselves (or other contested biographical information) on talk pages during the discussion; it should be remembered that talk pages are public space, and that information discussed there is available to readers. 50: 110: 423:
biography of that person's public life. If the person is notable only in connection with a single event, and little or no other information is available to use in the writing of a balanced biography, that person should be covered in an article regarding the event, with the person's name as a redirect
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In exceptional cases, when names or sensitive information have been redacted, it may be necessary to discuss the removal by e-mail or other off-wiki methods, rather than on the talk page. This should, however, be avoided where possible, as it reduces transparency. Editors should exercise sensitivity
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In contrast, there are cases where it is unnecessary to include a full biography of a person, or even their name. For instance, a child born with an unusual medical condition, who has received some coverage in the news media, may be mentioned in the article on their medical condition; in such cases,
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It is not possible to develop a definite rule for such cases. In general, if such an individual – the victim of a crime, for instance – has received substantial independent coverage in the media, and their name is well-known, then it is appropriate to include an article on them. Examples of this are
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Biographies should not be dominated by a single event in the subject's life. In Ms. Bush's case, she is notable as the daughter of a serving head of state, and has received extensive media coverage not related to the underage drinking incident; as such, this incident should not dominate the article,
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over an extended period of time, then it is probably suitable to be included in the article. If the information has only appeared in a few tabloid sources, local newspapers, or websites of dubious quality, or has only been the subject of fleeting and temporary coverage, then it is not appropriate to
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primarily because of her relationship to a head of state, it would normally be inappropriate to include information of this nature about her (whereas it would be entirely appropriate, for instance, if the information concerned a sitting politician). However, the Jenna Bush article is an example of a
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The method of discussion used should depend on the sensitivity of the material involved. In extreme cases, where you believe that there has been a gross violation of the subject's privacy, discuss the issue privately by e-mail with other administrators. If the issue is less sensitive, discuss it at
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or unusual medical conditions, the children of notable individuals, or the victims of notable crimes. In many of these cases, the person in question is a child, or was a child at the time of the notable event. In such cases, some sensitivity needs to be shown in deciding whether or not to include
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In general, creating a pseudo-biography (on an individual who is only notable because of their participation in a single event) will mean that an editor creating the article will try to "pad out" the piece by including extraneous biographical material, e.g. their date and place of birth, family
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repeating material from the deleted article in the discussion. Bear in mind that discussion pages are publicly available to readers. In some cases, such discussions may be courtesy-blanked after the discussion is concluded, or names may be redacted. If deletions of this type are taken to
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or not. As Knowledge (XXG) has a wider international readership than most individual newspapers, and since Knowledge (XXG) articles tend to be permanent, it is important to use sensitivity and good judgment in determining whether a piece of information should be recorded for posterity.
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Knowledge (XXG) is not in the business of speculation, or publishing dubious allegations, unless such allegations are notable in themselves. In particular, possibly false allegations that would significantly harm an individual's life should be avoided. Unconfirmed allegations may
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Unsourced, poorly sourced, or dubious content, especially if potentially libelous, should simply be removed on sight from biographies of living persons. Editors who repeatedly reinsert unsourced or poorly sourced material about a living person are subject to a
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For instance, in a case such as the redaction of names from an article, the first step may be to remove the names from an article. However, this should then be discussed on the talk page. During the discussion, the names should be left out; revert-warring is
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to the event article placing the information in context. If the event itself is not notable enough for an article, and the person was noted only in connection with it, it's very likely that there is no reason to cover that person at all.
126:). Where a person is notable only in connection with one event, they may not merit a biography at all. If another user removes or deletes such material, discuss it with them, but don't revert them until consensus has been reached. 676:
delete the entire article. If you are not sure, it is advisable to obtain a second opinion on the case before deleting, preferably from another administrator. If the article is deleted, use a non-aggressive edit summary, such as
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information consists of private details about an individual that have not been published in the mainstream media and are not widely known. In most cases, Knowledge (XXG) articles should not include such information;
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helpful in these circumstances, as the temporary absence of the names is unlikely to significantly damage Knowledge (XXG)'s credibility. The names should be restored if there is a clear consensus to do so; a
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is not. In this case, the person may merit a mention in articles associated with the event or organization, but should not have a standalone "biography" article; an example of this may be the
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and other events in her life should be appropriately covered. In cases where a person is only notable for their participation in a single event or phenomenon (such as the
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be included in Knowledge (XXG) where they have already been widely publicised by the mainstream news media; in these cases, the allegations should not be given
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as a main or sole focus of coverage, or is the person mentioned only in connection with an event or organization? In the second case, it is likely that the
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In some cases, there is some question as to whether a particular piece of information is public or nonpublic, e.g. where it has been published in
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If enough is left to sustain an article, do not delete the article, and start a discussion of the problematic content on the article's talk page.
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In cases where names are removed from an article to protect the privacy of a semi-notable individual, this should be discussed on the article's
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If a deletion of this sort is being discussed at the administrators' noticeboard or on any other Knowledge (XXG) page, participants should
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appropriate for inclusion; as such, this inclusion test can be applied to other parallel situations. The factors to take into account are:
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It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Knowledge (XXG) contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of
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edit-war to restore the information. Instead, participate in the discussion on the talk page. Alternatively, you can post a notice on the
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in their life? In most cases, as noted above, a person who is notable only for one event does not merit a full biography under their name.
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In applying the principle of "do no harm", it is often tempting for an editor to take controversial actions under the principle of
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If all of these apply, then it is reasonable for the information to be included. If none of them apply, then it should be removed.
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while the discussion is taking place; administrators can access the deleted material, so it does no harm to leave it deleted.
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In some cases, a person is notable primarily for a single event in their life. This may be the case with the subjects of
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The following are suggestions for the possible courses of action you can follow if you see a suspected violation of the
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If you are an administrator, and you see an article on a living individual where most or all of the content fails the "
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of relevant coverage? For instance, it is not necessary to include biographies on every person who was present at the
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living individual can be divided broadly into two categories: public and nonpublic information. Generally speaking,
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it may be appropriate to mention their name in the article, but it is unlikely that they merit a full biography.
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If there would not be enough to sustain the article, that is, the remaining content contains no evidence of
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The essay that follows contains a number of other ideas that were considered during the formation of the
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An important rule of thumb when writing biographical material about living persons is 'do no harm.'
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If there is consensus among administrators that the deletion was unjustified, restore the article.
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their names, and/or any other biographical details about them which are not relevant to the case.
222: 58: 639: 259:, as of c. 2008. Jenna Bush was on one occasion arrested for underage drinking. As Ms. Bush is 607: 603: 584: 540: 367: 304: 292: 152: 123: 460: 348: 718: 680: 669: 643: 594: 552: 523: 314:), it may be inappropriate to write a biography on them at all, as this may develop into a 260: 189: 133: 119: 464: 344: 700: 611: 276: 218: 428:
background, hobbies and employment, etc. Such information, in many cases, will fail the
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should be taken into account; an inclusion test can be applied in these instances.
27:"WP:HARM" redirects here. For a page on dealing with threats of physical harm, see 37:
Knowledge (XXG):Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions § It's harmful/harmless
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First, try removing the offending content from the article, and see what is left.
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Knowledge (XXG):Neutral point of view § Pseudoscience and related fringe theories
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Only restore the content if there is a clear and unequivocal consensus to do so.
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is notable; individual people (other than the shooter, in this case) are not.
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policy. Many of them continue to resonate strongly with our current policy.
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remains an important consideration within our living persons policy, doing
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If you see a removal of such content, and you disagree with the removal,
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harm has been found to be incompatible with our obligation to maintain a
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An article under the title of a person's name should substantially be a
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from editing, and edits which remove such content are exempt from the
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The general test that should be applied in such cases is as follows:
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When deciding whether it is appropriate to include information in a
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The "do no harm" principle does not justify the removal of
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when writing about all subjects, including living people.
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Discuss it on the talk page, apply the inclusion test (
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For a page on a controversial argument in 633:For removal of unsourced or dubious content 563:If you see material in a biography that is 330:Inclusion of names and biographical details 284:Is the information definitive and factual? 691:the deletion with other administrators. 307:in relation to the subject's notability? 273:Is the information already widely known? 71:Knowledge (XXG)'s policies or guidelines 780:Knowledge (XXG) essays about notability 610:may be helpful at this stage, as may a 315: 606:), and try to determine consensus. A 543:may be helpful in gauging consensus. 400:For the policy on pseudoscience, see 201:, and we are not in the business of " 7: 506:and articles must be written from a 766:(a somewhat contrary point of view) 571:, but may fail the inclusion test 504:Knowledge (XXG) is an encyclopedia 467:, then they may merit a biography. 443:Do any reliable sources cover the 75:thoroughly vetted by the community 25: 406:Knowledge (XXG):Pseudo-namespaces 275:If it has appeared in mainstream 790:Knowledge (XXG) essays about BLP 199:Knowledge (XXG) is not a tabloid 166:Public and nonpublic information 108: 48: 42:Essay on editing Knowledge (XXG) 758:Knowledge (XXG):Wikicratic Oath 741:Knowledge (XXG):Blocking policy 559:For removal of sourced content 209:, whether such information is 122:, apply the "inclusion test" ( 1: 553:biographies of living persons 223:potential harm to the subject 160:biographies of living persons 134:biographies of living persons 597:, will discuss on talk page) 264:case where such information 120:biography of a living person 701:administrators' noticeboard 414:Knowledge (XXG):FAKEARTICLE 255:, daughter of US President 806: 679:(deleting temporarily for 650:For deletion of an article 485:Is the person notable for 410:Knowledge (XXG):Pseudocode 399: 381: 232: 169: 82: 26: 655: 572: 451:is notable, but that the 429: 303:Is the information given 753:Knowledge (XXG):Coatrack 693:Keep the article deleted 116:This page in a nutshell: 18:Knowledge (XXG):DONOHARM 593:(temporary removal per 785:Knowledge (XXG) essays 555:policy in an article. 476:Virginia Tech massacre 508:neutral point of view 494:Neutral point of view 449:event or organization 445:individual themselves 153:neutral point of view 73:, as it has not been 518:Ethics and consensus 188:Information about a 577:Internet phenomenon 547:Suggested procedure 470:Was the person the 378:Pseudo-biographies 336:Internet phenomena 320:"coatrack" article 644:three-revert rule 604:as detailed above 421:full and balanced 229:An inclusion test 130: 129: 103: 102: 35:discussions, see 16:(Redirected from 797: 730:Related policies 524:ignore all rules 512:reliable sources 487:any other events 461:Madeleine McCann 394: 349:Madeleine McCann 316:pseudo-biography 277:reliable sources 245: 219:reliable sources 182: 112: 111: 105: 95: 52: 51: 45: 21: 805: 804: 800: 799: 798: 796: 795: 794: 770: 769: 727: 719:deletion review 683:, will discuss) 652: 635: 627:BLP Noticeboard 573:described above 561: 549: 520: 496: 465:Damilola Taylor 417: 398: 397: 390: 386: 380: 345:Damilola Taylor 332: 249: 248: 241: 237: 231: 186: 185: 178: 174: 168: 109: 99: 98: 91: 87: 79: 78: 49: 43: 40: 23: 22: 15: 12: 11: 5: 803: 801: 793: 792: 787: 782: 772: 771: 768: 767: 761: 755: 744: 743: 738: 726: 723: 710: 709: 706: 705: 704: 686: 666: 663: 656:inclusion test 651: 648: 634: 631: 619: 618: 615: 600: 560: 557: 548: 545: 519: 516: 495: 492: 491: 490: 483: 468: 430:inclusion test 396: 395: 387: 382: 379: 376: 331: 328: 324: 323: 300: 281: 257:George W. Bush 247: 246: 238: 233: 230: 227: 184: 183: 180:WP:NOTATABLOID 175: 170: 167: 164: 128: 127: 113: 101: 100: 97: 96: 88: 83: 80: 68: 67: 55: 53: 41: 24: 14: 13: 10: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 802: 791: 788: 786: 783: 781: 778: 777: 775: 765: 762: 759: 756: 754: 751: 750: 749: 748: 742: 739: 737: 734: 733: 732: 731: 724: 722: 720: 715: 707: 702: 697: 696: 694: 690: 687: 684: 682: 675: 671: 667: 664: 661: 660: 659: 657: 649: 647: 645: 641: 632: 630: 628: 624: 616: 613: 612:third opinion 609: 605: 601: 598: 596: 590: 586: 582: 581: 580: 578: 574: 570: 566: 558: 556: 554: 546: 544: 542: 537: 531: 529: 525: 517: 515: 513: 509: 505: 501: 493: 488: 484: 481: 477: 473: 469: 466: 462: 458: 454: 450: 446: 442: 441: 440: 437: 435: 434:notable event 431: 425: 422: 415: 411: 407: 403: 393: 389: 388: 385: 377: 375: 371: 369: 364: 360: 358: 354: 353:The Bus Uncle 350: 346: 340: 337: 329: 327: 321: 317: 313: 308: 306: 301: 298: 294: 290: 285: 282: 278: 274: 271: 270: 269: 267: 262: 258: 254: 244: 240: 239: 236: 228: 226: 224: 220: 215: 212: 208: 204: 200: 195: 191: 181: 177: 176: 173: 165: 163: 161: 156: 154: 150: 146: 145:avoiding harm 141: 139: 135: 125: 121: 117: 114: 107: 106: 94: 90: 89: 86: 81: 76: 72: 66: 64: 60: 54: 47: 46: 38: 34: 30: 19: 746: 745: 729: 728: 713: 711: 692: 688: 678: 673: 653: 636: 622: 620: 592: 589:edit summary 568: 564: 562: 550: 535: 532: 527: 521: 497: 486: 479: 471: 452: 448: 444: 438: 433: 426: 420: 418: 372: 365: 361: 357:John Smeaton 341: 333: 325: 302: 296: 293:undue weight 288: 283: 272: 265: 250: 243:WP:HARM#TEST 216: 205:" people or 198: 193: 187: 159: 157: 148: 144: 142: 137: 131: 115: 56: 674:temporarily 299:be avoided. 280:include it. 57:This is an 774:Categories 670:notability 608:straw poll 591:, such as 541:straw poll 528:afterwards 472:main focus 453:individual 305:due weight 253:Jenna Bush 211:verifiable 63:notability 457:Bus uncle 392:WP:PSEUDO 368:talk page 312:Bus uncle 194:nonpublic 124:see below 725:See also 569:accurate 500:relevant 384:Shortcut 235:Shortcut 172:Shortcut 85:Shortcut 33:deletion 689:Discuss 672:, then 565:sourced 261:notable 190:notable 93:WP:HARM 747:Essays 681:WP:BLP 623:do not 595:WP:BLP 478:. The 203:outing 714:avoid 640:block 480:event 59:essay 699:the 585:bold 567:and 355:and 347:and 297:must 289:only 583:Be 536:not 514:). 463:or 318:or 61:on 776:: 646:. 629:. 579:. 359:. 266:is 149:no 140:" 703:. 685:. 614:. 599:. 416:. 65:. 39:. 20:)

Index

Knowledge (XXG):DONOHARM
Knowledge (XXG):Responding to threats of harm
deletion
Knowledge (XXG):Arguments to avoid in deletion discussions § It's harmful/harmless
essay
notability
Knowledge (XXG)'s policies or guidelines
thoroughly vetted by the community
Shortcut
WP:HARM
biography of a living person
see below
biographies of living persons
neutral point of view
Shortcut
WP:NOTATABLOID
notable
outing
publishing revelations about their private lives
verifiable
reliable sources
potential harm to the subject
Shortcut
WP:HARM#TEST
Jenna Bush
George W. Bush
notable
reliable sources
undue weight
due weight

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