Wikipedia:Don't cry wolf

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An editor is attacked

An editor subject to criticism may feel

assuming good faith. If there is a nugget of truth in the criticism, counterclaims of harassment will look like evasion and a lack of a collaborative spirit
, and may thus escalate the dispute. Furthermore, unsubstantiated claims of harassment make it harder for people who suffer real harassment to get assistance.

Legitimate criticism

Legitimate criticism can be distinguished from harassment because it:

  • Contains contextual
    diffs
    or related evidence.
  • Aims to improve the encyclopedia.
  • Provides advice that the subject can use for improvement.
  • Engages
    civilly
    with editors that doesn't reply with discourtesy.
  • Requires support from uninvolved editors for productive contribution.

Harassment

Harassment often includes some of the following elements:

Advice

If you are the subject of criticism that seems unfair, ask for specific evidence. If arguments are heated, ask the other editors to refactor for virtuous

dispute resolution
mechanisms may also help.

When criticizing another editor, be sure to focus on behavior and provide specific evidence. If the subject of criticism complains of harassment, consider backing off or using formal

dispute resolution
processes.

See also