 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
 | This page in a nutshell: Unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct are not helpful. If you're challenged to provide evidence, put up or shut up. |
Occasionally in a heated dispute, someone may post on the administrators' noticeboards regarding the conduct of another editor but without providing any evidence (in the form of diffs) to back it up. This is not helpful: negative commentary directed at other editors is hurtful and creates drama at the best of times, and it is sadly all too easy to mischaracterise or outright lie about what another editor did. As such, one should always provide evidence when requested (or ideally to begin with) if one is making such allegations. Otherwise, editors should not expect their allegations to be taken seriously, and indeed may be considered to be acting vindictively.