controversial articles and neutrality problems

I agree with a lot of what you're saying. NPOV is more reachable than people think, but it just requires someone who is really committed to being neutral.

But I'm not sure your idea for "mass acquisition" of senior editor status fits with that. If it's something that's acquired on a mass level, then I think even some of the good faith I-P editors with a strong opinion could still become "senior". Not all POV warriors come carrying a torch and a gun. Many don't even realize they're warriors, which is what makes it so easy to slip into systemic bias. In fact, systemic bias is (by definition) not the fault of a specific editor acting in bad faith, but a mass of editors acting in good faith.

What we're calling for is closer to some kind of "informal moderator" status. A status parallel to adminship but focusing on content disputes and quality problems. In addition to senior editors, but a higher standard.