A media expert warned to Shafaqna: Wikipedia cannot be used as an unchallengeable source of religious information.

SHAFAQNA (Shia International News Association)  - Wikipedia can be a good and rich source of religious information. How-ever, it cannot be used as an unchallengeable source.

In an interview with Dr. A.F, he added that Wiki aimed to provide readers with a neutral point of view and “everything is cited, to maintain the highest standards of reliability” (Wikinews 2010). Meanwhile, despite Wiki principles, there are studies that claim ‘important biases’ in Wikipedia content as the website ultimately reflects its users’ viewpoints (Royal & Kapila 2008).

Therefore, “according to data outlined above, if you ask me whether Wiki is a reliable source in the field of religion?, I would say readers need more consistent and reliable information in this field (religion). Wikipedia is not advised to be used as a substitute for original religious sources; in the same way academic experts do not take Wiki as their first and main sources of information as well”.

In other words, I think “Wikipedia can be employed as a good and rich source of general religious information. However, it cannot be used as an unchallengeable source; its data is constantly correcting or changing through brain-storming and its content ultimately reflects its users too”.