Wiki Politics

As a resident of Massachusetts, I follow how my state's politicians use the Internet to either promote their causes or their campaigns. They have many options to choose from: websites, email updates, blogs, etc.

I was surprised when I saw Wikipedia entries for the Massachusetts gubernatorial candidates. After a moment, I thought "why not!"

I find this to be an interesting use of the Web with both positive and negative points . If these biographies are updated during the campaign, they can provide a comprehensive listing of each candidate and their views. For writers and researchers, it provides a one stop place for information, a bit easier than searching throughout a multitude of resources.

But that is also the problem. As a writer and researcher, I am always concerned about the veracity of articles. Whenever I read an article, I always research the author. Is the author:

• A member of the same party of the candidate?
• A member of the campaign staff?
• A campaign volunteer?
• Friend? and so on.

Anyone can easily publish on the Web. I'm sure the campaign staff or campaign-friendly people wrote each bio of each candidate. Are these entries fact or hype?

Also, keep in mind that anyone can edit a Wikipedia article. This opens the door for misinformation. (Alvin Toffler provides a wonderful discussion of misinformation in his book PowerShift.) It allows the opportunity for negative campaigning at a whole new level.

As a frequent user of Wikipedia, and casual contributor, I know the Wikipedia volunteers are very good at policing entries and removing false information. With political entries, I think the Wikipedia volunteers and readers will have to not only discern the facts, but also discern hype from fact.

Time will tell the effects that this and other technologies have on campaigns and the dissemination of political information.

PowerShift
Book Description from Amazon