Today, Explained

What did Wikipedia do?

142 snips
May 8, 2025
Stephen Harrison, a journalist with eight years covering Wikipedia, dives deep into the encyclopedia's tumultuous relationship with the Trump administration. He discusses how Wikipedia, once seen as the last bastion of shared reality, faces accusations of bias and scrutiny from the U.S. government. Harrison uncovers alarming threats linked to extremist groups and addresses controversies surrounding key political figures impacting the platform. With insights from his novel, he reflects on Wikipedia's evolving role in combating misinformation in today's chaotic information landscape.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Quirky Wikipedia Cereal Fact

  • Sean Rameswaram shares a quirky Wikipedia fact about Rice Krispies cereal noises varying by country.
  • This personal example illustrates how Wikipedia captures diverse global details.
INSIGHT

Trump DOJ Challenges Wikipedia Status

  • The Trump administration, via Ed Martin, accuses Wikipedia of foreign propaganda and threatens its tax-exempt status.
  • Loss of tax status could cripple Wikipedia's non-profit funding model and public trust.
INSIGHT

Wikipedia vs. Right-Wing Narratives

  • Wikipedia's portrayal of events like January 6 and the Israel-Gaza conflict differs from certain right-wing narratives.
  • This triggers targeted campaigns to intimidate editors and revise content aligned with far-right viewpoints.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app