Wikipedia has 8 billion page views per month, 60 million articles, and free access to knowledge for everyone. But who really decides what content you read?
Who ensures that the information is correct? Can Wikipedia be manipulated to influence public opinion? Some believe there is a hidden elite that controls the articles. Is that true? Dive into the behind-the-scenes of the largest online encyclopedia.
📜 1. Wikipedia: A Free Project, But Not Without Rules
When Wikipedia was launched in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, the idea was simple:
➡️ An encyclopedia written and edited by everyone
➡️ Free and unlimited access to knowledge
➡️ A system where anyone can become an expert
But the openness of Wikipedia raises a big question: How to avoid chaos?
💡 The answer: Strict rules and an invisible hierarchy.
🛡️ 2. Who Writes and Edits the Articles?
Anyone can edit Wikipedia… but not just any way.
There are several levels of contributors, each with different rights and responsibilities:
👤 Regular Users
You can edit or create an article, but your changes are monitored by more experienced members.
🛠️ Moderators and Patrols
These volunteers spend their time reviewing, correcting, and reporting questionable articles.
⚖️ Administrators
Elected by the community, they can block users, delete pages, and protect sensitive content.
🎩 The Bureaucrat and the Arbitration Committee
The highest levels of moderation, tasked with managing conflicts and complex decisions.
🔎 In summary: Wikipedia is controlled by an invisible elite, but it is made up of thousands of volunteers who verify information every day.
⚠️ 3. Can Wikipedia Be Manipulated?
Wikipedia is one of the most influential sites in the world. Governments, companies, and even celebrities regularly try to influence its content.
Here are the 3 biggest attempts at manipulation:
❌ The political page scandal
Politicians have attempted to edit their own page to remove embarrassing information.
❌ Companies buying edits
Some brands have paid writers to enhance their image on Wikipedia.
❌ Edit wars
Controversial topics (vaccines, international conflicts, historical figures) are constantly modified and debated.
📌 But beware: Wikipedia has implemented detection tools and protections to prevent excessive manipulation.
🏛️ 4. The Wikimedia Foundation: Who Owns Wikipedia?
Does Wikipedia belong to someone? Yes and no.
📌 The Wikimedia Foundation manages Wikipedia, a non-profit organization based in the United States.
👉 It funds the servers, security, and development of the site.
👉 It does not control the content directly, but manages major decisions.
👉 It operates on donations (no advertising!).
💰 Surprising fact: Every year, Wikipedia collects over 100 million dollars in donations!
🔎 5. Is Wikipedia 100% Reliable?
The big question: Can we trust Wikipedia?
✅ The strengths of Wikipedia:
✔️ Articles updated in real-time
✔️ Total transparency of edits
✔️ Requirement for reliable sources
❌ The weaknesses:
🚨 Opinion bias on some sensitive subjects
🚨 Occasional vandalism despite protections
🚨 Dependence on external sources (which are not always neutral)
📌 Tip: Always check the cited sources at the bottom of articles before taking any information for granted.
🚀 6. So, Who Really Controls Wikipedia?
You will have understood, Wikipedia is an encyclopedia run by its own community.
✔ Users write and edit articles
✔ Moderators and administrators monitor changes
✔ The Wikimedia Foundation manages finances and structure
Wikipedia belongs to no one… but everyone can influence it. That is what makes it both its strength and its weakness.
📢 Have you ever edited an article on Wikipedia? What do you think of the collaborative model? Let me know in the comments! 👇
Céline, a passionate blogger about news and travel, I decode the trends that make the world buzz. Whether it’s exploring hidden corners of the planet or analyzing the hottest topics in the news, I share my discoveries here with a curious and authentic perspective. Join me to travel through words and ideas!
