April 29, 2025
The platform has denied the accusations of spreading misinformation.
Wikipedia is now being focused by President Trump and a D.C. prosecutor for allegedly spreading propaganda on its platform.
Ed Martin, the interim United States Lawyer for D.C., has accused Wikipedia of “permitting overseas actors to control info and unfold propaganda to the American public.” He wrote a letter on April 24, itemizing these alleged wrongdoings by the web platform, which is thought for showcasing info edited by the general public.
“Wikipedia is allowing info manipulation on its platform, together with the rewriting of key, historic occasions and biographical info of present and former American leaders, in addition to different issues implicating the nationwide safety and the pursuits of the US,” detailed Martin, in response to The Free Press.
Martin additionally accused Wikipedia’s mum or dad group, the Wikimedia Basis, of violating the tax code for nonprofits. Nonetheless, the Inside Income Service usually handles that difficulty, not prosecutors. Yahoo Information additionally confirmed that Martin has by no means served as a prosecutor earlier than his appointment by Trump to his present function.
Regardless of this, Martin continued to slam Wikipedia for allegedly utilizing its platform to showcase propaganda to the general public.
“Masking propaganda that influences public opinion beneath the guise of offering informational materials is antithetical to Wikimedia’s ‘instructional’ mission,” Martin wrote.
In response, Wikipedia Editor Molly White referred to as the letter a “risk” to the Washington Publish, stating that Martin makes an attempt to “silence high-quality, impartial info.” White additionally posted to X, calling the letter an indication of larger hassle to return for media retailers and knowledge sources that don’t adjust to Trump’s calls for.
Furthermore, different information and knowledge sources have obtained comparable warning letters, in response to The New York Instances. This included 4 medical journals for his or her alleged bias in explaining a number of scientific matters.
Martin additionally ordered Wikipedia to reply a bunch of questions by Might 15 concerning the methods it has and intends to safeguard the general public from proposed propaganda and biased messaging.
Nonetheless, Wikipedia has confronted criticism from conservatives previously. Elon Musk has beforehand criticized the platform, posting on X about it having a “woke thoughts virus” in October.
Wokipedia has a probably terminal case of the woke thoughts virus. Reddit too. https://t.co/yjfzE6lEyw
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 26, 2024
Wikipedia’s lawyer has denied these allegations of propaganda, stating that info on the web site stays “offered as precisely, pretty, and neutrally as potential.” He additionally mentioned his consumer intends to elucidate and show that their content material stays clear and factual for all.
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