Wikipedia:Creating controversial content

Protesters enshrouded in tear gas during a riot.
Controversial content can survive a severe dispute if you adhere closely to Wikipedia's policies and guidelines.

You want to add a controversial fact or allegation into Wikipedia or create a new article about a controversial issue, but it will probably be deleted. You want it to survive, so the world will finally know. Here are some things to consider in your efforts.

In short: Gather your facts. Be careful with your intellectual content. Adhere closely to Wikipedia's policies and guidelines. You can self-publish outside of Wikipedia pretty easily, but self-publications are not trusted for inclusion in Wikipedia. Third-party publishers are much more trustworthy. The most reliable publishers are university presses. If you are ahead of all other scholars, create a stepladder of proof from what scholars agree on with you, based on their published articles and books, until your ultimate point is proven. Anticipate criticisms; take them as legitimate and answer them on their merits. If you're ready to add sourcing to Wikipedia but you're the author of the sourcing, you have a conflict of interest you need to declare before you edit. When you're ready to edit, draft carefully for Wikipedia. Monitor the article and its talk page frequently, even several times a day in the first days. If objections come from multiple editors, don't assume the editors are coordinating against you or just puppets of one; treat them as separate and legitimate.


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