Handling Disputes THE WIKIPEDIA WAY

I followed Wikipedia’s online dispute resolution procedure for years and find it an excellent example to share.

Entries on Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, are collaboratively written by thousands of volunteers. Most entries have multiple authors. Occasionally, disagreements emerge among volunteers regarding the content of entries. To address these differences, Wikipedia offers online procedures for resolving disagreements among its providers. 

Users with issues are first directed to use “Talk” pages for discussing edits and making proposals. Wikipedia enforces strict behavior guidelines. 

If there remains a content dispute, users may try the “Dispute Resolution Noticeboard” for discussion facilitated by uninvolved volunteers to attempt compromise and settlement. The unbiased volunteers are chosen for their “calm and patient demeanor.” 

One component is where a third party guides the discussion over disputed elements of content to an agreement. The process is described as discussing the thinking behind positions for increased tolerance and respect and not for disagreeing for the sake of disagreeing, nor being unwilling to compromise. 

The entire Wikipedia dispute resolution process with its openness, fairness, and effectiveness reflects the values of the early internet. 

The active and archived discussion are even available for anyone to read here.