Talk:Cameron Slater

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Father

Is it true that Cameron Slater is not the son of John Slater? 203.100.212.17 (talk) 10:21, 3 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

He is the son of John Slater, and it's referenced. Just click the footnote number at the end of the sentence, and then the link in the corresponding note. —C.Fred (talk) 14:51, 3 February 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Lead

It's altogether inappropriate to describe someone as a "controversial New Zealand-based blogger" in the lead of an article. The term "controversial" by itself is virtually meaningless, and it provides no "context" whatever; such a term cannot provide "context" if there must be a further explanation of what it means. If something specific that someone has said or done is controversial, then that can be described in the lead, without any need to apply the vague, empty "controversial" label.

Just a little thought should show how useless and pointless the "controversial" qualifier is. Most political figures are "controversial" in some sense, but it would be an appalling idea to add the term "controversial" to the leads of articles about them ("So-and-so is a controversial New Zealand politician...") Wikipedia needs to avoid that kind of bad writing. ImprovingWiki (talk) 08:00, 24 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It is a label that is often used by the media so it is appropriate to use it as a qualifier in the lead. I agree that we have to be careful with the term to ensure that we get the WP:BALANCE right. -- Alan Liefting (talk - contribs) 22:34, 26 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

That's sloppy reasoning. If the media were to often describe someone using base insults and four-letter words, would it be appropriate to put those terms in the lead of an article about that person? As I said, if Slater has done things that are controversial, then the article needs to properly explain what he has done and whatever controversy may have resulted; simply slapping the "controversial" label on him is lazy and it's bad writing. ImprovingWiki (talk) 01:43, 30 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

It is accurate & appropriate to describe a blogger who labels a passenger killed in a car crash 'feral' for no known reason, or who contributes to the downfall of a NZ cabinet minister - to name just a couple of CS's incidents - as 'controversial'. Totally appropriate. — Preceding unsigned comment added by GHSinclair (talk • contribs) 09:44, 31 August 2014 (UTC)[reply]

Religion

Reference #37 links to a New Zealand Herald article stating that Slater is a Christian. Specifically, it states that he "attends meetings" at a Seventh Day Adventist Church. It does not explicitly state that he is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church; and I believe the article should make this distinction in the interests of accuracy.