Wikipedia:Fact laundering
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This is an essay; it contains the advice and/or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. It is not a policy or guideline, and editors are not obliged to follow it. |
There are a number of circumstances which result in "facts" being included in Wikipedia articles for which there are no reliable sources or which cannot be verified. Many of the improperly included facts result from a pass through a medium which is generally considered a reliable source. Thus the characteristics of the secondary source function as cover for a dubious source. The report of an allegation is typical. "The New York Times reported on October 13, 2006 in a copyrighted story that Jack Sprat has charged that his wife could eat no lean." [1]
While the article could be cited and quoted as a reference for its statement of Jack's opinion, it should not be used as a means of implying that its statement is a fact.
[edit] References
- ^ "Sprat Disses Wife" New York Times October 13, 2006
