As a PR tool, wikis can be used to enhance a company's image, share information about a company, and allow consumers to be connected to the company. On the other hand, besides enhancing a company image, wikis can be edited and used unethically as a PR tool.
For example, as talked about in class, Wal-Mart can be found on Wikipedia. They used a wiki to as a PR tool, but they changed or edited the information found on the Wikipedia webpage. The Wal-Mart Wikipedia page includes the history, subsidiaries, corporate affairs, advocacy groups, etc. It can be useful but at the same time unethical. For example, a lot of people were upset that Wal-Mart employees were changing the wiki page.
2 comments:
It is interesting how wikis can be a two edged sword. You can receive alot of information, but unfortunately, you have to be careful about how much you trust the information.
I kind of think of it as a good thing though, it should keep people on their toes. When people read magazines or newspapers they automatically believe what they have read, but with wikis, readers have to do a little of their own research to conclude the information as being fact.
I like how we are able to see if a posting on Wikipedia was changed, who changed it, and WHAT exactly was changed. This feature if used resourcefully, can help to determine the credibility of the information and its content masters.
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