Guidelines for PR people using Wikipedia

The world of public relations is no stranger to Wikipedia-related controversy. With Wikipedia pages likely to feature high up on the search results for most brands, it is both a blessing and a frustration for many PROs. The temptation is there for you to edit inaccurate information on Wikipedia about the brands you represent, so it is vital for PR people to understand the ethical implications of editing clients' pages on Wikipedia. This week a page was published on sister site Wikimedia UK, the charity that monitors content on Wikipedia in the UK, providing draft Wikipedia guidlines for PR practice. Here it's encouraged that you correct spellings and grammar, be respectful and disclose your interests, being transparent at all times. Do not, however, use Wikipedia to promote and advertise, and don't remove negative material. For the full list of Wikipedia  PR tips, click here. It's definitely worth PROs getting to grips with these guidelines, as Wikipedia's readership and content continue to grow.