Why Biographies of Living People Cause Chaos on Wikipedia
Over 20% of Wikipedia's content disputes involve Wikipedia BLP issues. That's a lot of arguments over facts that could ruin someone's reputation. The Biographies of Living Persons (BLP) policy is Wikipedia's rule requiring special care when writing about living people to ensure accuracy and neutrality. This policy exists because false information can harm someone's reputation. Editors must follow strict guidelines to avoid defamation.
What Triggers BLP Conflicts?
Disputes usually start when editors add unverified claims. For example, a biography might claim "The CEO was investigated for fraud" without citing a reliable source. Or editors might disagree on whether a source is trustworthy. In 2018, a U.S. senator's biography had conflicting reports about their voting record. One editor cited a partisan news site, while another used official congressional records. This led to 300+ edits in a week.
Wikipedia:Reliable Sources policy requires using authoritative references like major news outlets, academic journals, and official records. Blog posts, social media, or personal websites rarely count. When editors ignore this rule, conflicts escalate quickly.
How Disputes Escalate
When editors can't agree, they often enter an edit war where they repeatedly revert each other's changes without discussion.. This happens when one editor removes "unverified" claims, and another adds them back. For instance, a sports figure's biography had 50+ reversions in two days over their career stats. The article became unusable until mediators stepped in.
Some editors try to bypass rules by creating fake accounts or using sockpuppets. In 2021, a politician's biography was repeatedly altered by a group of users who all used similar IP addresses. Wikipedia's administrators blocked them after detecting coordinated editing.
Resolution Process: From Talk Pages to Arbitration
Most disputes start on the article's Wikipedia talk pages where editors discuss changes before editing the main article.. Here's how it usually unfolds:
- Editor A adds a claim without a source
- Editor B tags it "citation needed" and discusses on the talk page
- If unresolved, they request Wikipedia mediation where a neutral third party helps find common ground.
- For severe cases, the Wikipedia Arbitration Committee steps in with binding decisions and possible blocks.
Real-World Conflict Resolution Example
In 2020, a controversy over a U.S. politician's biography involved claims about their financial dealings. Editors cited unreliable sources like partisan blogs and personal websites. After 200+ edits, the dispute reached mediation. The mediator reviewed Wikipedia:Verifiability policy which requires claims to be supported by reliable, published sources.. They agreed to use only AP News and official government records. The article stabilized within days.
Comparison of Conflict Resolution Methods
| Method | When to Use | Process | Timeframe | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Talk page discussion | Initial disagreement | Editors discuss on the article's talk page | Hours to days | Consensus or agreement on edits |
| Mediation | Talk page fails | Neutral mediator facilitates discussion | 1-2 weeks | Agreed solution with specific edits |
| Arbitration Committee | Severe or ongoing disputes | Formal hearing with binding decisions | Weeks to months | Enforced resolution, possible blocks |
How to Avoid BLP Conflicts as an Editor
Follow these practical tips:
- Always check Wikipedia:Neutral Point of View policy before adding claims. Avoid language that sounds biased or promotional.
- Use only reliable sources like established news organizations or academic journals.
- When unsure, add "citation needed" tags instead of removing content outright
- Take a break if emotionally charged-revisit the edit later with fresh eyes
- Never use fake accounts or coordinate edits with others to push a viewpoint
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a BLP violation?
A BLP violation occurs when a biography of a living person contains unverified claims, biased language, or potentially harmful information. Examples include unproven allegations or personal attacks without reliable sources. Wikipedia's BLP policy requires all such claims to be backed by credible references.
Can I be blocked for editing a BLP article?
Yes. Editors who repeatedly violate BLP rules-like adding unverified claims, edit warring, or using sockpuppets-can be blocked. The length of the block depends on severity. Minor issues might get a 24-hour block, while serious violations could lead to indefinite bans.
How do I report a BLP violation?
Start by discussing it on the article's talk page. If unresolved, request mediation through Wikipedia's mediation process. For severe cases like harassment or coordinated vandalism, report it to Wikipedia's administrators or the Arbitration Committee.
Why does Wikipedia have a separate policy for living people?
Living people can't defend themselves in court like deceased figures. False information can cause real-world harm-lost jobs, damaged reputations, or even physical danger. The BLP policy exists to prevent defamation and ensure accuracy before information becomes permanent on Wikipedia.
What sources count as "reliable" for BLP articles?
Major news organizations (e.g., AP, Reuters, BBC), academic journals, official government records, and books from reputable publishers. Avoid blogs, social media, personal websites, or unverified press releases. For controversial topics, multiple independent sources are required.
