David Gerard, a prominent Wikipedian and Wikimedia UK volunteer, took part in a live debate on the relationship between Wikipedia and the PR industry this week.
The debate was organised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and streamed live via their CIPR.tv web channel. The recording is available here on YouTube. The debate broadcast was hosted by Gemma Griffiths, Managing Director of The Crowd & I and someone who has offered pro bono support to WMUK in the past. Representing the PR industry was Philip Sheldrake, Founder of Meanwhile and a speaker at WMUK’s recent AGM alongside Neville Hobson.
During the show the group discussed how the PR industry could interact with Wikipedia. In particular, they spent time looking at some draft best practice guidelines, created by the CIPR’s social media panel and hosted for discussion on our wiki here.
The guidelines remain available for comment so please do get involved. CIPR will be taking a snapshot of the guidelines on Sunday 24 June and circulating them to their members as version one, although the document will remain on wiki for further discussion and evolution.