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Wikipedia bans Church of Scientology from editing entries

30 May 2009 4 Comments

Posted by Sherwin

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Wikipedia has banned the Church of Scientology from editing its own information on the site after the group allegedly posted content pushing its agenda. The story was first reported by British tech blog The Register.

The online encyclopedia’s administrators found that Scientology computers had been repeatedly changing more than 400 pages related to the Church, removing online information critical of the organization and adding positive ones.

Wikipedia usually allows contributions from anyone. But its editorial encourages a “neutral point of view”.

Many individuals are banned from the site for adding propaganda or false accusations but this is the first instance in which the online encyclopedia has blocked a group as large as the Church of Scientology.

In a 10-1 ruling Thursday, Wikipedia’s arbitration council voted to ban users coming from all IP addresses owned by the church and its members, and further banned a number of editors by name.

They said that the very topic of Scientology “has become a magnet for single purpose accounts, and sockpuppetry is rife.”

Scientology is a 55-year-old religion founded by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. Tom Cruise, John Travolta and Will Smith are among its famous members.

Click here to read more from The Register.

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  • http://www.crackpots.org/ Fredric L. Rince

    Couldn't happen to a more deserving organized crime syndicate.

  • http://www.crackpots.org/ Fredric L. Rince

    Couldn't happen to a more deserving organized crime syndicate.

  • loverevolver4

    In my opinion they deserved it, Wikipedia is a place for information, not conversion. Scientology is always trying to convert people through using pressure and ms information. The Jesus church and as far as I know other religions never act so vindictively like this.

  • loverevolver4

    In my opinion they deserved it, Wikipedia is a place for information, not conversion. Scientology is always trying to convert people through using pressure and ms information. The Jesus church and as far as I know other religions never act so vindictively like this.