Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-02-11 Arcata Eye Plazoid

Request Information

 * Request made by: Metatree 05:43, 11 February 2006 (UTC)


 * Where is the issue taking place?
 * There is a NPOV dispute over the pages of Arcata, California; The Arcata Eye; and The Plazoid


 * Who's involved?
 * Metatree (me:)) and several anonymous users with these general IPs: 137.150.100.33 and 65.147.20.35


 * What's going on?
 * The persons behind the two IP addresses (heretofore IPs) are adding statements that do not, I believe, conform to NPOV policy to the above mentioned pages. I have attempted to remove this POV whenever possible, and attempted to explain these removals to the best of my ability. The last edits I did to these pages are probably my best attempt yet to keep the articles as neutral as possible (I have added debatable statements at times as well, now removed).


 * The nature of the POV is such: all of its focused either "against" (the IPs) or "for" (me: in that I'm not against) the newspaper publication the Arcata Eye. Some neccessary history: an online and print 'zine called the Plazoid was created in reaction to the Arcata Eye's aritcles and editorials. This controversy is explained, I hope fairly, on the Eye page. I believe that the IPs are either two of the writers who publish the Plazoid, or very close friends (others have suspected this as well, see comments about 1/3 down the page on Talk: Arcata, California). Thus, I believe they have a vested interest in pushing the POV that they do.


 * ''What would you like to change about that?
 * First, I would welcome any suggestions on my own edits to keep them as neutral as possible. I am not totally neutral in my feelings (as I am a resident of the town in question and a reader of the Arcata Eye). Second, I really think this dispute needs attention by parties other than myself. I have been attempting to enlist other editors to watch the page and give their own take on the situation, but most of this I have done alone. Much of the heat of this dispute has landed on my shoulders, and allowed the IPs to attack me personally (including within the text of the articles in question). If there is any way to reach these IPs and actually help them understand wikipedia policy without me being involved (at this point they will never listen to me) that would be superb. If there is not, is there any way of "protecting" these articles from what I would consider to be "POV attacks?" I really really really want to get out of this dispute.


 * If you'd prefer we work discreetly, how can we reach you?
 * Please investigate discreetly, I'm afraid my report of this will only inflame matters if known. If a conflict resolution process is possible (which I doubt, but I may be wrong) then I will be willing to do so openly. Please write to me on my talk page. Thanks--Metatree 06:29, 11 February 2006 (UTC)