Wikipedia:Wikipedia Signpost/2008-06-26/BLP enforcement

A remedy passed in the Arbitration Committee's "footnoted quotes" case has proven controversial. This remedy, which allows administrators to "use any and all means at their disposal to ensure that every Wikipedia article is in full compliance with the letter and spirit of the biographies of living persons policy", has been the source of some criticism; many users believe that the remedy is, in essence, creating policy.

The case closed on June 16, and its main remedy proved controversial even before the case was closed. The remedy reads as follows:

A few days before the case closed, the case's remedy became more well-known, and many users criticized it on the case's talk page. On June 11, WJBScribe argued, "This remedy has a feel of, "We must do something. This is something, therefore we must do it." It is being implemented through a case which has had little community attention ... This remedy is going to come as a surprise to many and its implementation is in my view going to generate more heat than light."

Many other users agreed, arguing that the remedy was a marked change from the current BLP policy, particularly given the phrases "Administrators are authorized to use any and all means at their disposal" and "This does not preclude the use of emergency measures where necessary", both of which, some have noted, seem to strengthen BLP policy. FloNight disagreed, however, in comments on that page:

Discussion continued, peaking with the nomination of the remedy's enforcement log for deletion. The discussion was closed as "speedy keep" within less than an hour, and discussion then moved to a talk page regarding the remedy.

The issue has essentially stalled over the last few days; while some discussion continues, no actions have been taken citing that remedy, though it still presumably remains in full effect barring community agreement to the contrary.