May 7th 2025
Created by AI, reviewed by human.
In a recent episode of This Week in Tech, host Leo Laporte and guests Iain Thomas, Gary Rivlin, and Owen Thomas discussed a concerning development: Wikipedia is facing investigation by a US attorney, raising serious free speech concerns.
First Amendment Concerns
Leo Laporte brought attention to a story about DC US Attorney Ed Martin investigating Wikipedia for alleged "disinformation" and "foreign actors manipulating information." According to the discussion, Martin sent a letter to the Wikimedia Foundation demanding information about Wikipedia's editorial process and how it handles trust and safety.
Leo didn't mince words when expressing his concern: "This is a real threat to one of the best things that ever happened to the internet." The panel agreed, with Gary Rivlin calling Wikipedia "a gift to the world."
The TWiT panel quickly identified the core issue: this investigation appears to directly conflict with First Amendment protections. As Leo pointed out, the First Amendment specifically prohibits "government intervention in speech." This investigation represents exactly the kind of government interference the Constitution was designed to prevent.
Politically Motivated?
The conversation turned to potential political motivations behind the investigation. Gary Rivlin suggested it might be related to content about Donald Trump, particularly regarding the 2020 election: "I wonder if the Wikipedia thing is, let's go look at Donald Trump's write-up... what they say about the 2020 election? Trump didn't like it. So, yeah, Wikipedia is on the enemy's list."
The panel noted that the investigation might also be targeting the Wikimedia Foundation's nonprofit status. Owen Thomas highlighted that as a nonprofit, the Wikimedia Foundation is particularly vulnerable to this line of attack. Leo connected this to other instances where tax status has been weaponized, calling such tactics "blatantly illegal."
Iain Thomas brought up "Conservopedia," describing it as "the conservative version of Wikipedia" and suggesting listeners check it out, calling it "absolutely hilarious." This highlighted how ideological differences in information presentation have led to the creation of alternative platforms.
Broader Context of Media Targeting
The panel placed the Wikipedia investigation within a larger pattern of targeting media and information platforms. Gary Rivlin mentioned the FCC's Brendan Carr "taking on media outlets" and "threatening to take away their licenses." The group discussed how this trend of weaponizing government agencies against media platforms represents a troubling shift in the information landscape.
Leo pointed out what appeared to be selective enforcement, noting platforms like X (formerly Twitter) are "full of bots representing China, Russia, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, every possible dictatorship" yet face less scrutiny than Wikipedia.
Why This Matters
This discussion highlights critical concerns about free speech, government overreach, and the future of open information platforms. Wikipedia has become a cornerstone of the internet's knowledge ecosystem, and government interference in its operations could have far-reaching consequences.
As information platforms face increasing pressure from government entities, the principles that have guided the open internet are being tested. The TWiT panel's discussion serves as an important reminder of what's at stake when platforms dedicated to open knowledge face political targeting.
Want to hear the complete discussion about Wikipedia and other tech topics covered in this episode? Listen to the full TWiT 1030 episode for deeper insights from Leo Laporte, Iain Thomas, Gary Rivlin, and Owen Thomas as they explore the implications of these developments and more current tech news.
Share: Copied! This Week in Tech #1030May 4 2025 - Journalism Comes In Second
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