The Interview The Culture Wars Came for Wikipedia. Jimmy Wales Is Staying the Course.
29 snips
Oct 18, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Jimmy Wales, co-founder of Wikipedia and advocate for online transparency, discusses the platform's evolving challenges. He emphasizes the importance of trust and how Wikipedia maintains neutrality amid political attacks. Wales addresses community dynamics in resolving editor disputes and how contentious topics often lead to improved content quality. He also warns against rising authoritarian pressures on editors and expresses optimism about Wikipedia's enduring values amidst the culture wars.
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Transparency Builds Trust
- Wikipedia's transparency and flags for uncertainty build public trust by admitting limits and citing sources.
- Jimmy Wales argues readers want neutral, sourced information not partisan spin.
Prioritize Reliable Sources
- Use high-quality sources like peer-reviewed research and reputable newspapers when asserting facts.
- Distinguish agreed facts from opinion and cite reliable publications to support claims.
Talk Pages Show Editorial Reasoning
- Talk pages document editorial debates and let readers see reasoning behind content choices.
- Wales says open discussion helps ideologically driven editors engage constructively.
