Wikipedia:Update/1/Content policy changes, January 2009 to June 2009


 * Biographies of living persons
 * Moved some material in the lead section into noticeboxes at the top of the lead section
 * Added to WP:BLP: "For example, Category:Criminals (or its subcategories) should only be added for an incident that is relevant to the person's notability; the incident has been published by reliable third-party sources; the subject was convicted; and the conviction was not overturned on appeal."
 * The paragraph in WP:BLP that begins, "Never use self-published books ..." was moved down into a new section.
 * Changed WP:BLP substantially from the May 31 version
 * Changed heading WP:BLP to WP:BLP, and added [Any such potentially damaging information about a private person, if corroborated by multiple, highly reliable sources, may be cited if] "and only if: (1) the allegations are relevant to the subject's notability and (2)" [the Wikipedia article states that the sources make certain "allegations", without the Wikipedia article taking a position on their truth.]


 * Naming conventions
 * Changed WP:NAME substantially from the May 31 version
 * In WP:NAME, changed [Items in full or partial uppercase (such as Invader ZIM) should have standard capitalization (Invader Zim)] "except where non-standard capitalization is selected as one of the many possible methods of disambiguation." to "however, if the name is ambiguous, and one meaning is usually capitalized, this is one possible method of disambiguation."
 * In WP:NAME, changed pointer from Manual of Style (dashes) to dash
 * Changed WP:NAME substantially from the May 31 version


 * Neutral point of view
 * In WP:NPOV, changed [Editorial bias toward one particular point of view should be] "fixed" to "removed or repaired"
 * In WP:NPOV, changed "controversial assumptions" to "potentially controversial assumptions" (in reference to evolution-vs.-creationism)
 * New subsection, WP:NPOV: "Users who repeatedly create deliberate violations of this guideline within articles may be subject to editing restrictions."
 * Expanded WP:NPOV
 * New section: WP:NPOV
 * In WP:NPOV, links were changed and rearranged


 * No original research
 * In WP:NOR, added two examples and some minor rewording


 * Verifiability
 * Added to See also section: Accuracy dispute


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Contact information such as phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses are not encyclopedic."
 * Renamed WP:NOT to WP:NOT, and added "Academic language. Texts should be written for everyday readers, not for academics. Article titles should reflect common usage, not academic terminology."
 * In WP:NOT, removed the pointer to future.wikia.com
 * In WP:NOT, moved link to censorship down, and added see-also pointer to Sexual content


 * Biographies of living persons
 * Added to WP:BLP: "(however, whether your edit falls under the exemption may be contentious. See WP:3RR for further guidance. If you expect your edit to be exempt from 3RR, you should clearly state this in the edit summary and justify it on the article talk page)."


 * Naming conventions
 * Added to WP:NAME: [Items in full or partial uppercase (such as Invader ZIM) should have standard capitalization (Invader Zim),] "except where non-standard capitalization is selected as one of the many possible methods of disambiguation."
 * Added to WP:NAME: [Due to technical restrictions the following characters cannot be used in page titles:] "# < >"
 * Added to WP:NAME: "If dashes are used in page names a redirect using hyphens must be provided (see also Manual of Style (dashes))."
 * Removed from WP:NAME: [In band names and titles of songs or albums, a standard rule of English orthography is to capitalize words] "that are the first or the last word in the title and ..."


 * Neutral point of view
 * Added two new subsections, WP:NPOV and WP:NPOV, with some pre-existing and some new material.
 * Removed the entire WP:NPOV section


 * No original research
 * In WP:NOR, changed "prove" to "discover" in several places.
 * Added to WP:NOR: "Do not make analytic, synthetic, interpretive, explanatory, or evaluative claims about information found in a primary source."


 * Non-free content criteria
 * The first paragraph of WP:NFCC was expanded slightly.


 * Verifiability
 * In WP:V, changed "Articles about such sources should not repeat any contentious claims the source has made about third parties, unless those claims have also been published by reliable sources." to "Questionable sources are generally unsuitable as a basis for citing contentious claims about third parties."
 * Shortened WP:V and WP:V


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Expanded WP:NOT, WP:NOT and WP:NOT.
 * Removed from WP:NOT: "infoboxes"
 * Removed from See also: 1000 things not to write your article about


 * Biographies of living persons
 * Added to WP:BLP: "A statement of principles specifically related to such articles has been resolved by the Wikimedia Foundation Board. The full text can be found here."
 * In WP:BLP, added "and if that person otherwise remains, or is likely to remain, low profile" and removed "Cover the event, not the person."
 * In WP:BLP, changed "Individuals notable for well-documented historic events, for example John Hinckley, Jr., fit into this category. The historic significance of events should be indicated by the persistent coverage of the event in reliable secondary sources that devote significant attention to the individual's role. Transient press coverage of a story does not generally indicate an individual who would meet this exception, even if there are multiple independent and reliable secondary sources." to "Individuals notable for well-documented events, such as John Hinckley, Jr., fit into this category. The significance of an event or individual should be indicated by how persistent the coverage is in reliable secondary sources."
 * Added to WP:BLP: link to Wikimedia Foundation's resolution about biographies of living people


 * Naming conventions
 * In WP:NAME, changed "Except where other accepted Wikipedia naming conventions give a different indication, use the most common name of a person or thing that does not cause ambiguity with other people or things. Use the naming conflict guideline when there is disagreement ..." to "Except where other accepted Wikipedia naming conventions give a different indication, title an article using the most common name of the person or thing that is the subject of the article (making the title unique when necessary as described in the following section and in the disambiguation guideline). The naming conflict guideline may help resolve disagreements ..."
 * In WP:NAME, changed "Avoid giving an article an ambiguous title (unless it is unlikely that the other meanings deserve their own article). If all possible titles have multiple meanings, go with the rule of thumb of naming conventions and use common names of persons and things." to "Name an article as precisely as is necessary to indicate accurately its topical scope; avoid over-precision. If there are other articles with the same name, then the title should include a disambiguator in parentheses, unless the article concerns the primary topic for that name. If alternative common names exist for a topic, sometimes a less ambiguous option may be chosen in order to avoid the need for a disambiguator."


 * Neutral point of view
 * Added to the nutshell: "all [significant views] on each topic"
 * Removed from WP:NPOV: link to WP:POINT, and also, after "A matter that is both verifiable and supported by reliable sources might nonetheless be ...", removed: "marginalized or given undue standing; described in slanted terms which favor or weaken it ..."
 * Added to WP:NPOV: WP:COATRACK.


 * No original research
 * Added to lead section: "[... not the place to publish your own opinions, experiences, arguments,] or conclusions."
 * Added to WP:NOR: "Articles and posts on Wikipedia, or on websites that mirror its content, may not be used as sources, see Verifiability."


 * Non-free content criteria
 * In WP:NFCC, changed every occurrence of "image" to "file".
 * After "Image description page", changed "Attribution of the source of the material and, if different from the source, of the copyright holder." to "Identification of the source of the material, supplemented, where possible, with information about the artist, publisher and copyright holder; this is to help determine the material's potential market value."


 * Verifiability
 * Re-added to lead section: "and it has always been good practice, and expected behavior of Wikipedia editors (in line with our editing policy), to make reasonable efforts to find sources oneself that support such material, and cite them."
 * WP:V changed to WP:V, and contents of this section expanded to: "Wikipedia being an open wiki, is a self-published source, hence articles and posts on Wikipedia, or on websites that mirror its content, may not be used as sources; see WP:SPS. In addition, sources that present information known to originate from Wikipedia should not be used for that information, as doing so may create circular sourcing. When editing an article using a source that cites a different Wikipedia article, use the reliable sources contained in the cited article."


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Exceptions include terms with encyclopedic disputes connected with them, such as Macedonia (terminology): The use of "Macedonia" as the name of a country is disputed by Greece, which uses it as the name of a region, and the debate is well-covered in many reliable sources."
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Source texts generally belong on Wikisource. Excerpts of lyrics may be used within an article for the purpose of direct commentary upon them, or to illustrate some aspect of the style." Also changed "Wikipedia treats fiction in an encyclopedic manner, discussing the reception, impact, and significance of notable works. A concise plot summary is appropriate as part of the larger coverage of a fictional work." to "The coverage of a fictional work should not be a mere plot summary. A summary should facilitate substantial coverage of the work's real-world development, reception, and significance."


 * Biographies of living persons
 * Added to lead: "Therefore, an editor should be able to demonstrate that such material complies with all Wikipedia content policies and guidelines."
 * Added to WP:BLP: "[Never use] ... tweets"
 * Added to WP:BLP: "If the event is significant, and the individual's role within it is a large one, a separate article for the person is sometimes appropriate. Individuals notable for well-documented historic events, for example John Hinckley, Jr., fit into this category. The historic significance of events should be indicated by the persistent coverage of the event in reliable secondary sources that devote significant attention to the individual's role. Transient press coverage of a story does not generally indicate an individual who would meet this exception, even if there are multiple independent and reliable secondary sources."
 * Added to See also: Attack page, Manual of Style (biographies)


 * Naming conventions
 * Added to WP:NAME: link to WikiProject Poland/Conventions


 * No original research
 * More tweaks to WP:PSTS
 * Shortened and moved WP:NOR
 * New section WP:NOR with some old and some new material


 * Verifiability
 * Changed "[If no reliable, third-party sources can be found] featuring significant coverage of a topic, [Wikipedia should not have an article on it]." to "for an article topic,"
 * In WP:V, changed "Articles should rely on reliable,... " to "Articles should be based upon reliable,... "
 * Added to WP:V: Moved and changed "Reliable sources may be print-only, electronic-only or be available in both print and electronic formats." to "Electronic media may also be used."
 * Added to WP:V: "tweets [are largely not acceptable.]"
 * Changed WP:V to WP:V, and changed "In addition, information that is cited to Wikipedia by other sources should be avoided. However, the wikipedia article being cited may contain reliable sources that can be checked and used" to "his includes material known to originate from Wikipedia; using such material may create circular sourcing. In cases where a Wikipedia article is cited, it may contain reliable sources that can be used."


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Added pointer to Lists (stand-alone lists)
 * Added: "However, you very well may make new friendships as you go about improving the encyclopedia."
 * Added: "While currently accepted scientific paradigms may later be rejected, and hypotheses previously held to be controversial or incorrect sometimes become accepted by the scientific community, it is not the place of Wikipedia to venture such projections."
 * Changed "However, some articles may include objectionable text, images, or links where they are relevant to the content (such as the articles about the penis or masturbation)." to "However, some articles may include text, images, or links some may find objectionable, when they are relevant to the content."
 * Added: "Wikipedia is not governed by statute:"


 * Biographies of living persons
 * Added: "Persons are assumed living unless there is a good reason to believe otherwise" [for purposes of this policy]
 * Removed: "Instead [of trivia sections], relevant sourced claims should be woven into the article."
 * In WP:BLP, changed "article" to "biographical material"
 * Removed the WP:BLP subheading, and: "Wikipedia articles should respect the basic human dignity of their subjects. Wikipedia aims to be a reputable encyclopedia, not a tabloid. Our articles must not serve primarily to mock or disparage their subjects, whether directly or indirectly."
 * Removed: "The Wikipedia Manual of Style outlines guidelines to respect a person's identity."
 * In WP:BLP, changed "a redirect or merge" to "a merge of the information and a redirect of the person's name to the event article"
 * In WP:BLP, added after "Wikipedia includes dates of birth for some well-known persons where the dates": "have been published in one or more reliable sources linked to the persons such that it may reasonably be inferred that the persons do not object to their release"
 * Changed WP:BLP substantially


 * Naming conventions
 * Added after "almost always capitalized in English": "... book titles"
 * Removed "Also keep in mind that Wikipedia is not a collection of standalone quotations; that is what Wikiquote is for. If a quotation is worthy of an article do not use quotation marks to start the page name, just use the quotation."
 * Removed three examples from WP:NAME
 * Added subsection: WP:NAME
 * Removed link to Naming conventions (places)
 * Removed subsections: WP:NAME, WP:NAME
 * Added link to WikiProject Video games/Article guidelines/Naming


 * Neutral point of view
 * New section based on recent ArbCom decision: WP:NPOV
 * Added endsection link to WP:DECISION which redirects to WP:Let the reader decide [now reverted].


 * No original research
 * Removed link to wikinfo.org
 * Moved the paragraph that begins "If you are able to prove something" up to WP:NOR
 * Changed WP:NOR substantially
 * Removed "It should be noted, however, that editing articles related to or about yourself, by you or those closely related to you, is strongly discouraged, and you are instead encouraged to discuss potential edits to such articles in the relevant talk page", but left a sentence with the link to WP:COI.
 * New section: WP:NOR


 * Verifiability
 * Changed "If no reliable, third-party sources can be found for an article topic, Wikipedia should not have an article on it." to "... found featuring significant coverage of a topic, ..."
 * Divided WP:V into two subsections and changed the contents substantially
 * New section, WP:V: "Articles and posts on Wikipedia, or other websites that mirror Wikipedia content, may not be used as sources. In addition, information that is cited to Wikipedia by other sources should be avoided. However, the wikipedia article being cited may contain reliable sources that can be checked and used (see: WP:SAYWHEREYOUGOTIT)."
 * In WP:V, added footnote with quote from David Hume


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Reworded WP:NOT slightly


 * Biographies of living persons
 * In the lead section, changed "[The burden of evidence for any edit on Wikipedia ... rests firmly on the shoulders of the person who] adds or restores the material" to "... commits the edit"
 * Added to WP:BLP: "Before adding or restoring material, the editor committing the edit must ensure it meets all Wikipedia content policies and guidelines, not just verifiability of sources."
 * Added new section, WP:BLP:
 * This policy applies equally to biographies of living persons and to biographical material about living persons on other pages. The burden of evidence for any edit on Wikipedia, but especially for edits about living persons, rests firmly on the shoulders of the person who adds or restores the material. This burden applies not just to verifiability of sources, but to all Wikipedia content policies and guidelines. In the case of deceased individuals, material must still comply with all wikipedia policies and prompt removal of questionable material is proper.


 * Naming conventions
 * In WP:NAME, first sentence changed to: "Avoid giving an article an ambiguous title (unless it is unlikely that the other meanings deserve their own article)."
 * In WP:NAME, pointed to the exceptions at technical restrictions page, and removed pointer to Naming conventions (capitalization)
 * In WP:NAME, added pointer to Naming the disambiguation page
 * In WP:NAME, added pointer to common (vernacular) names
 * Sections were combined into a new section, WP:NAME, with a pointer added to Policies and guidelines, a new sentence: "A central discussion, with notification through RFCpolicy, can be useful in forming and demonstrating a strong consensus", and many changes in the WP:NAME subsection.
 * 20 of the former proposed guidelines were moved into a new subsection, WP:NAME.


 * Neutral point of view
 * Removed: "Wikipedia's nature as an encyclopaedia demands that articles should always use the best and most reputable sources. A neutral point of view cannot be synthesised merely by presenting a plurality of opposing viewpoints, each derived from a polarised source."
 * Extensive changes to WP:UNDUE (again)


 * No original research
 * Added to WP:NOR: "If you are able to prove something that few or none currently believe, Wikipedia is not the place to première such a proof. Once a proof has been presented and discussed elsewhere, however, it may be referenced. See: Verifiability."
 * Removed from WP:PSTS: "Wikipedia articles should rely mainly on published reliable secondary sources and, to a lesser extent, on tertiary sources. All interpretive claims, analyses, or synthetic claims about primary sources must be referenced to a secondary source, rather than original analysis of the primary-source material by Wikipedia editors."
 * Added the word "secondary" to: "Articles may include analytic, synthetic, interpretive, explanatory, or evaluative claims so long as they have been published by a reliable secondary source."
 * Removed "easily" and "any" from: "Without a secondary source, a primary source may be used only to make descriptive claims, the accuracy of which is [easily] verifiable by a [any] reasonable, educated person without specialist knowledge."
 * The paragraph on "routine calculations" was moved from the lead section down to the WP:SYN section.


 * Verifiability
 * The addition in December to WP:V was reverted.


 * What Wikipedia is not
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Articles are about a person, or a people, a concept, a place, an event, a thing etc."
 * Added to WP:NOT: [is not] "A complete exposition of all possible details. Rather, an article is a summary of accepted knowledge regarding its subject. Treat verifiable and sourced statements with appropriate weight." A pointer to Requests_for_arbitration/Rex071404 was added as a footnote.
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Words and images that would be considered offensive, profane, or obscene by typical Wikipedia readers should be used if and only if their omission would cause the article to be less informative, relevant, or accurate, and no equally suitable alternatives are available."
 * Added to WP:NOT: "Elections and votes are endorsed in some scenarios, such as when electing the Arbitration Committee"
 * The WP:NOT section was deleted, and some of the contents moved to WP:NOT.