A tale of information ethics and encyclopædias; or, is Wikipedia just another internet scam?

Purpose – This paper seeks to look at the question of accuracy of content regarding Wikipedia and other internet encyclopædias. Design/methodology/approach – By looking at other sources, the paper considers whether the information contained within Wikipedia can be relied on to be accurate. Findings – Wikipedia poses as an encyclopædia when by no stretch of the definition can it be termed such; therefore, it should be subject to regulation. Originality/value – The paper highlights the issue that, without regulation, content cannot be relied on to be accurate.