GTA Wiki:Assume Good Faith

This page documents the Official Policy of the GTA Wiki.

It concerns standards that all users should follow.

This page documents the Official GTA Wiki Policy on assuming good faith.

Policy

Assuming good faith refers to a fundamental principle of assuming that the vast majority of users contribute towards the wiki with good faith. This policy is designed to foster a positive and collaborative environment on the GTA Wiki. It encourages users to approach interactions and contributions with a presumption that other users are acting in such a way, contributing positively to the community, and have no malicious intent.

As we allow anyone to edit, it follows that we assume that most people who work on the project are trying to help it, not hurt it. If this weren't true, this wiki project would be doomed from the beginning.

Users are expected to assume that their fellow contributors have positive intentions when editing articles, commenting in talk pages or engaging in Discussions. This means giving others the benefit of doubt and refraining from assuming ill motives, even in situations where disagreements or differences of opinion arise.

The policy may often be referred to by its abbreviation "AGF".

What constitutes as "good faith"?

• No intention of malice.
• People trying their best to do their best for themselves and the greater good of the community.
• Friendliness, honesty, caring.

Good faith practices

• Be helpful: When encountering edits or comments that may seem incorrect, incomplete, or misguided, approach them with the mindset that the contributor might not be aware of guidelines or policies. Offer helpful suggestions or corrections, keeping in mind that the user might not have intended any harm.
• Positive communication: All interactions, discussions, and debates should be conducted in a respectful and civil manner. When disagreements occur, users should seek to understand each other's perspectives and communicate constructively. Refrain from personal attacks, insults, or assuming malicious intent on the part of others.
• Show appreciation: Even if contributions aren't perfect, it is important to show Appreciation for one's efforts. This can be shown with a personal "thank you" message.
• We were all new once: When a reader makes that first leap to click the "edit" button, it's because they've gotten excited about something this community wrote. They may not understand the tools or codes you're used to, and they most likely have not read the wiki's rules and policies: new people make mistakes all the time. It's easy to get frustrated and impatient about this, but everyone needs a chance to learn.

Exceptions

In situations where clear evidence indicates malicious intent or a pattern of disruptive behavior, the assumption of good faith may be reconsidered. The well-being of the community and the integrity of the GTA Wiki remain paramount, and appropriate actions will be taken to maintain a positive environment.

Disputes and disagreements

People can have very different attitudes about what's best for this project. When you disagree with someone, you might start to feel that they are a "bad editor", but that's almost never true if they care about the topic. Assuming good faith is about intentions, not actions. Even if the person is wrong, that doesn't mean they're trying to wreck this wiki.

Whenever an edit or a message irritates you, step back and assume the person is trying to help the wiki, not to damage it. This can help you to look past your frustration to see what they were trying to achieve, and act more kindly based on that understanding. Consider using talk pages to explain yourself, and invite others to do the same. This can avoid misunderstandings and prevent problems from escalating.

Well-meaning people can take actions the rest of the community feels are unwise, and you should discuss the actions calmly and seek compromises, if possible. What you should not do is accuse the person of vandalism or sabotage. Encourage consensus, but don't condemn.

If things do escalate and no resolution is made, it is advised to contact a Staff member, as these users are here to deal with things if they become heated.

See Also

• GTA Wiki:Appreciation
• GTA Wiki:No Shrines for Vandals
• GTA Wiki:Vandalism
• GTA Wiki:Disruptive Editing
• GTA Wiki:Edit Warring
• GTA Wiki:Civility
• GTA Wiki:Talk Page Guidelines