In the hybrid conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the information war is raging, and Wikipedia is no exception.
The Russian Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media is after the free encyclopedia for its page dealing with the ongoing conflict, but Wikimedia does not intend to give in under pressure.
Russia is not at all satisfied with the treatment of the conflict in Ukraine by the Russian page of Wikipedia
The current conflict in Ukraine is the subject of much tension in the media. And the world’s most famous free encyclopedia, Wikipedia, is also facing increased pressure. In particular, the information available on the Russian page dealing with the conflict with Ukraine. This is still accessible on March 4, 2022 at 11 a.m., but it is not to the taste of the Russian authorities. From 1er last March, the Federal Service for the Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media, also known by the (not sweet on the ear) name of Roskomnadzor, denounced the content of this page.
More precisely, the Roskomnadzor accuses Wikipedia of tolerating fake posts published as of the February 27 version of the article about the ongoing dispute. The Russian authorities refute in particular ” information on numerous casualties among the military personnel of the Russian Federation, as well as the civilian population of Ukraine, including the number of children “, according to the message received on the Telegram channel of Wikipedia Russia.
Moreover, the Roskomnadzor denounces a content arguing of ” the need to withdraw funds from accounts in banks of the Russian Federation within the framework of sanctions imposed by foreign states “. Challenges received by Wikimedia, but not followed up on.
Wikimedia remains firm and refuses to submit to the Russian request
As reminded The Verge and Vice , the Roskomnadzor is not at its first attempt to modify content on Wikipedia, and the Wikimedia Foundation has decided to strongly support its contributors. ” All of these people have very different views on what’s going on, and they’re all making sure that someone doesn’t insert false information or misleading wording into the article. “, explains Wikimedia in a press release dated 1er March.
In addition, Wikimedia, through the vocabulary used and the turns of phrase of its press release, clearly takes a position against the Russian request: “ Ukrainian volunteers have heroically continued to add content and make changes to Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, ensuring that people around the world continue to have access to neutral and trusted information in times of crisis, and demonstrating our shared belief that knowledge is a human right “.
Moscow has not (yet) blocked access to Wikipedia in Russia. In the meantime, the free encyclopedia has an unprecedented audience for certain articles, such as the one on Ukraine in its English version, due to the ongoing conflict.
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Sources: The Verge
, Vice
, Wikimedia release
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