Wikipedia:Wikiethics

The following is a proposed Wikipedia policy, guideline, or process. The proposal may still be in development, under discussion, or in the process of gathering consensus for adoption.

Wikipedia editorial standards and ethics (Wikiethics) include principles of ethics and of good practice to address the specific challenges faced by Wikipedians. Besides its liberal nature, Wikipedia has certainly some editorial standards that reflects the common heritage of human literacy. The Wikiethics project aims to outline these standards and create a policy that summarize them. Understanding the Wiki policies coherently, their place in the whole picture and their relations to the Wiki ethics and standards are also important issues to be addressed in this project.

Wikipedia has editorial standards

Some of the important editorial standards in Wiki can be listed as:

Academic objectivity
Collective consciousness: A common sense and common understanding of the contributing editors which does not strictly exclude ideas from minorities in a particular discussion
The culture of compromise: Empathy for 'the other' in a particular discussion

Being responsible is a natural result of these principles. Wikipedia also recognizes the standards which are shaped for centuries and currently practised in the mainstream media, for example:

The standards listed in Journalism ethics and standards
Golden Rule ("not to inflict harm")

List of Wikipedia policies and interpretations

In some cases it seems to be hard to define some particular terms like 'offensive', 'ponography', etc. That is why article-based classifications is the most appropriate way in doing so. With Wiki policies in mind, consensus among the contributing editors which does not exclude the ideas from minoiries should determine the case.

Insults or pornography (a description or an expression that is intended to cause sexual excitement), for example, should generally be avoided in a Wikipedia article. High editorial standards would add to reputation of Wikipedia. Any text can be expressed in a way that it includes no insult but still express the core idea clearly. A careful use of language can help in that direction. If a picture causing concerns in an article, having a link to the picture instead may lead to a compromise. Shifting between verbal or visual descriptions as necessary is another option.

Below the current related policies and guidelines are listed and interpreted in the context of editorial standards:

Policies

Guidelines

Proposed Policies

Wikipedia:Censorship: 'No censorhip' policy is important for Wikipedia. On the other hand, it cannot be interpreted as 'no editorial standards'.
Wikipedia:Community assent
Wikipedia:Offensive: "Offensive" is not a valid editorial criteria for a Wikipedia article

Miscellaneous

Wikipedia:Pornography: As being an open source for all ages, status and colors of the life, Wikipedia does not tolerate pornography in the articles.