Talk:Donald Trump/Response to claims of bias
On Wikipedia, bias means something different from what it means elsewhere. We say content is biased if it doesn't have a neutral point of view, which means representing fairly, proportionately, and, as far as possible, without editorial bias, all the significant views that have been published by reliable sources on a topic.
Similarly, reliable sources means something specific on Wikipedia. Reliable sources have characteristics such as editorial control, a reputation for fact-checking, and independence from their subject. They can have a bias but still be reliable; we just have to attribute their views and not give them too much weight. You can see a list of popular sources and how the editor community has evaluated their reliability at Wikipedia:Reliable sources/Perennial sources. Click on this footnote to see how these policies can be challenged.[a]
Editors have evaluated reliable sources and have determined they are generally critical of Trump. His article reflects this. We can't do much with a simple claim of bias; we need evidence the article doesn't have a neutral point of view. Click on the footnote to see some ways this can be done.[b]
If you start a discussion based on this, ensure your proposal is specific, refers to the policies and guidelines it is based on, and is supported by reliable sources.[c] You need to assume editors are acting in good faith. They will assume the same of you. Civility is very important on Wikipedia; your comments should create a pleasant editing environment. If a consensus forms, the article will be changed.
Wikipedia has some resources to help you further:
- Wikipedia:Policies and guidelines is a good starting point for reading about Wikipedia's policies and guidelines.
- If you have general questions, visit the Wikipedia:Teahouse and experienced editors will do their best to answer.
- Wikipedia:Guide to addressing bias provides instructions on how you can address real bias on Wikipedia.
- If you want to become more active in Wikipedia editing, Wikipedia:Adopt-a-user can set up a one-on-one "mentoring" relationship between you and an experienced editor.
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ These policies can be challenged at Wikipedia:Village pump (policy), but you will need some editing experience to understand how they are applied and for your challenge to be effective.
- ^ One way is showing that something discussed by a significant portion of reliable sources is being underrepresented, or something discussed in the articles overrepresents coverage in reliable sources.
Another way could be demonstrating, using evidence from reliable sources and policy, that a source used has bias and should be given less weight.
You can read more at Wikipedia:Guide to addressing bias. - ^ This is not easy; if you need assistance, leave a comment at User talk:Rollinginhisgrave#Response to claims of bias.