Disclosure of Perceptions

The Wikipedia entry on Halliburton has been evolving.

As the web’s public editable encyclopedia [see our show Wikitorial for more], Wikipedia often reflects conflicts that arise in the press. The following exchange between Wikipedia users/writers/editors highlights their efforts to remain impartial while writing the Halliburton entry. Along with US courts’ tradition of innocence before proven guilty, Wikipedia strives for impartiality. The most interesting aspect of this may be Wikipedia’s open disclosure of such conflicts in the “discussion” tab of the Wiki.

This passage was deleted a couple of weeks ago:

* Influence of the contracts can be seen from company financial reports company posted a second-quarter net loss of $663 million in 2004, revenue rose 38 percent from a year earlier to $5.0 billion. Iraq-related work contributed $1.7 billion in revenue in 2003 and a further $3.8 billion in the first six months of 2004.

Can anyone tell me why? Unless it’s specifically inaccurate, this seems to be a very relevant notation. At the very least the fact that they’ve seen a 38% revenue increase during a merely so-so economic period is significant in and of itself. The fact that government contracts are a factor is also such. If no one has a reason it should be excluded, I think it ought to go back in.

Wally 22:47, 12 Mar 2005 (UTC), Wikipedia Discussion

I’m the one who removed it, Wally. I’ll try to explain why I did.

Inserting quarterly numbers into the article seemed inappropriate because they are quickly dated. And empasizing the impact of one quarter in particular I thought was misleading, particularly since the statement reported revenue. Constuction is so convoluted that revenue in and off itself can be misleading, particularily in an encyclopedia context. Instead, I discussed the fact construction causes fluctuations, showed three years annual profit and loss numbers and current year revenue. The link to the Halliburton website can take the reader who needs to know to their annual reports for indepth discussions. The article states elsewhere the amount of the Iraq conracts and the anticipated profit.

Johnwhunt 23:26, 12 Mar 2005 (UTC), Wikipedia Discussion

Halliburton is also required to disclose details of its business to The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and its stockholders. David J. Lesar Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton, prefaces the 2004 Annual Report with encouraging words.

… As the challenges of 2004 fade into the past and the opportunities of a new year come into focus, it is easy to see beyond the rhetoric, beyond the litigation – beyond all the other difficulties – to the promising future of this great Company.”

This Annual Report, like any, then goes on to lay out the facts of their business.

Our revenue during the past three years was mainly derived from the sale of services and products to the energy industry, including 54% in 2004, 66% in 2003, and 86% in 2002. Revenue from the United States government, resulting primarily from the work performed in the Middle East by our Government and Infrastructure segment, represented 39% of our 2004 consolidated revenue and 26% of our 2003 consolidated revenue.

Halliburton 2004 Annual Report

The human interface of these systems is brought to bear in these situations. What’s the difference between auditing and editing? They both seem to be balancing acts between perceptions and rules.