Talk:Eurovision Song Contest 2011/FAQ

Below are answers to frequently asked questions about the corresponding page Eurovision Song Contest 2011. They address concerns, questions, and misconceptions which have repeatedly arisen on the talk page. Please update this material when needed.

Q1: I added content to the article which was properly sourced, but it was removed. Why?

A1: In order to ensure accuracy and professionalism, Wikipedia only accepts reliable sources as a means of verifiability in its articles. What is considered a reliable source is explained in the Wikipedia:Identifying reliable sources guideline. Present consensus is that ESCToday is reliable, ESCKaz is semi-reliable, ESCTime is not reliable, and no consensus has been reached on Oikotimes and ESCDaily. Note that blogs and forum posts are almost never considered reliable. Both offline and non-English sources can be used, though for the latter only when English equivalents are not available.

Q2: Why doesn't Wikipedia use the source that first published the information being verified?

A2: If more than one source is available, then the most reliable source usually takes precedence, even if it was not the first to release the information used in the article. Sourcing in Wikipedia articles is for verification, not for giving credit to organisations or individuals. The use of the most reliable source makes it clear to Wikipedia editors and readers that appropriate fact checking has taken place to ensure the information in the source is accurate.

Q3: Why does this article refer to the Republic of Macedonia as Macedonia? Shouldn't this country be referred to as the F.Y.R. Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia), as that is what the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) call it in the contest to avoid confusion with Greek Macedonia?

A3: Previously the practice on Eurovision Song Contest articles was to universally refer to the Republic of Macedonia as the F.Y.R. Macedonia, as this was the name the EBU used. However, this practice was overridden by wider community consensus established at Wikipedia:Naming conventions (Macedonia). The current guideline establishes Macedonia as the general term for the county throughout Wikipedia, even if the article is about an international organisation which uses a different naming practice e.g. the Eurovision Song Contest. In Eurovision Song Contest articles the inclusion of the flag for the Republic of Macedonia and the context of Macedonia being listed with other countries makes the risk of confusion low. However, the term F.Y.R. Macedonia, as it is used in the contest, may still be reported once in individual Eurovision Song Contest articles as necessary.