Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2006-09-07 British Airways External Links

Mediation Case: 2006-09-07 British Airways External Links
Please observe Etiquette and Talk Page Etiquette in disputes. If you submit complaints or insults your edits are likely to be removed by the mediator, any other refactoring of the mediation case by anybody but the mediator is likely to be reverted. If you are not satisfied with the mediation procedure please submit your complaints to Wikipedia talk:Mediation Cabal.

Request Information

 * Request made by: NcSchu 00:38, 7 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Where is the issue taking place?
 * ...External Links section within British Airways


 * Who's involved?
 * ...Myself, NcSchu and 68.4.25.97


 * What's going on?
 * ...The IP user is repeatedly adding a link to the external links section of what he/she is calling an "Independent Discussion Forum Regarding British Airways" however upon further inspection of the website, I found it to be nothing more than one person's attempt at creating a discussion forum with there being only one actual thread, by the website owner himself. Furthermore it seems to be more of a page where the auther rants about his bad experiences with the airline.  It's my opinion that it is the owner himself making putting the external link on British Airways to get publicity of sort for it.  I don't believe it to be a useful contribution to the article and I posted a message on the IP user's talk page, however that person seems to have ignored it and reverted my edit once again.


 * ''What would you like to change about that?
 * ...I am hoping someone can offer at least a second opinion on the case. I don't want to block British Airways from being edited by IPs and new users nor do I want to accuse the IP user of being a vandal because I don't feel like I have the authority to do so.


 * Would you prefer we work discreetly? If so, how can we reach you?
 * ...Either way works for me. I have school up until 15:00 EST time on weekdays, so any time after that I can be contacted via AOL instant messenger - NcSchu or via email address - ncschu@gmail.com.

Mediator response
Further to Addhoc's comment in the history of the BA page and Baseballbaby's comment on NcSchu's talk page, I also agree that the link provided by the unregistered IP user is spam. I personally recommend to give it a few more days first to see if the unregistered user continues. If it still does, then further action may be taken by requesting an admin to ban that specific IP address instead of initiating a partial lockdown. Jsw663 19:13, 7 September 2006 (UTC)


 * The POV editor was blocked for 24 hours, and the link has not been readded after an explanation about WP:NPOV was given on his/her talk page. I'll keep the case open for another week or so to make sure the problem is truly solved. Baseball  Baby  05:36, 11 September 2006 (UTC)


 * A week has passed without further edits to the main BA page, external links section. I recommend this case be closed, subject to BaseballBaby / Addhoc's approval as well. Jsw663 10:22, 15 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I came here to recommend closure too. If Addhoc agrees, he can close the case, or he can let me know and I'll close it. Baseball  Baby  13:40, 15 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Agreed. Addhoc 13:55, 15 September 2006 (UTC)

Compromise offers
This section is for listing and discussing compromise offers.



Discussion

 * This case shouln't even require mediation. It is a classic case of spamming and disruption, and should be posted on WP:ANI if the repeated addition of the spam link continues. --physicq210 20:43, 10 September 2006 (UTC)


 * Fair enough, but note the case originator was a new member of Wikipedia community, who wasn't sure who to speak to. In this context, if Wikipedians from MedCab are willing to offer advice, then I don't see a problem. So far the spammer has been warned and subsequently blocked for 24 hours. There hasn't been an attempt to post the link into the article following this block, so hopefully the problem has been solved. Hope that offers some explanation. Addhoc 20:51, 10 September 2006 (UTC)


 * I see. Then I just went from commenting to advising a new user. --physicq210 21:32, 10 September 2006 (UTC)