Wikipedia News Desk

When you think of Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia built by volunteers around the world. Also known as the world’s largest crowd-sourced reference, it’s not just a static site—it’s a living project shaped by thousands of editors, policy debates, and tech updates every week. Behind the scenes, the Wikimedia movement, the global network of volunteers, chapters, and organizations supporting Wikipedia is constantly adjusting rules, tools, and priorities. From new anti-vandalism bots to changes in how edits are reviewed, these shifts affect every article you read.

Editor trends are shifting too. Fewer people are joining as regular contributors, while more focus is going into fixing bias, improving citations, and fighting misinformation. Meanwhile, events like Wikimania, the annual global gathering of Wikipedia editors and developers reveal what’s next—whether it’s better mobile tools, AI-assisted editing, or new ways to involve non-English communities.

Here, you’ll find clear, no-nonsense updates on what’s actually changing on Wikipedia—not rumors, not hype. Just what’s happening, why it matters, and who’s driving it.

Leona Whitcombe

CheckUser Workflow on Wikipedia: How Editors Detect Vandalism with Data Limits

CheckUser is a critical but limited tool used by trusted Wikipedia editors to detect coordinated vandalism by linking accounts through technical data. It doesn't reveal identities but helps stop repeat offenders by uncovering hidden connections behind edits.

Leona Whitcombe

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism When Using Wikipedia

Using Wikipedia in academic work can lead to plagiarism if you cite it directly or paraphrase without attribution. Learn how to use it responsibly as a research tool-not a source-and how to find credible alternatives for your papers.

Leona Whitcombe

Getting Started on Toolforge for Wikipedia Bot Development

Learn how to build and deploy Wikipedia bots using Toolforge - a free, community-run platform for automated editing. Start with Python and Pywikibot, get approved, and run your bot 24/7.

Leona Whitcombe

How Reliable Sources Noticeboard on Wikipedia Works: A Guide to Source Discussions

The Reliable Sources Noticeboard on Wikipedia helps editors decide which sources are trustworthy for articles. It’s not about opinions - it’s about policy, evidence, and consistent standards. Learn how discussions work and what makes a source acceptable.

Leona Whitcombe

Regional Press Dynamics: How Wikipedia Stories Shape News in Emerging Markets

In emerging markets, Wikipedia has become a vital source of local news, filling gaps left by underfunded media. From rural Nigeria to urban Manila, volunteers are updating articles that shape how communities understand politics, disasters, and daily life.

Leona Whitcombe

Future Directions: Wikimedia Foundation's Long-Term Vision

The Wikimedia Foundation is expanding Wikipedia's reach with offline access, AI-assisted editing, and support for underrepresented languages - all funded by public donations. Its vision: a world where knowledge is truly free and open to everyone.

Leona Whitcombe

How Wikipedia Coverage Varies Across Languages in Global Media

Wikipedia's coverage varies wildly across languages, with English dominating while many global languages have minimal content. This gap reflects media bias, lack of local sources, and unequal access to digital tools-leaving vast parts of the world's knowledge undocumented.

Leona Whitcombe

Evidence and Diffs: How to Present Your Case in Wikipedia Disputes

Winning Wikipedia disputes isn't about being loud-it's about using verifiable evidence and clear diffs to support your edits. Learn how to cite reliable sources, respond calmly, and use Wikipedia's tools to resolve conflicts effectively.

Leona Whitcombe

The Peer Review Process: How Community Quality Assurance Keeps Science Reliable

The peer review process is science's built-in quality check-where experts vet research before publication. It's slow, imperfect, but essential for reliable knowledge. Without it, misinformation spreads faster than truth.

Leona Whitcombe

Trust and Safety Actions at WMF: How Transparency and Debate Shape Wikipedia's Future

The Wikimedia Foundation's Trust and Safety team enforces Wikipedia's rules with growing transparency. By publishing decisions and inviting community debate, they're reshaping how online knowledge platforms handle moderation-and setting a new standard for accountability.

Leona Whitcombe

Perennial Reliable Sources List on Wikipedia: What to Know

Wikipedia relies on a core set of perennial reliable sources like The New York Times, The Lancet, and Reuters. Learn what makes a source trustworthy, why some are rejected, and how to evaluate information beyond Wikipedia.

Leona Whitcombe

Local vs. Global Policies: How Wikipedia Language Editions Differ

Wikipedia's language editions follow different policies shaped by local culture, politics, and community norms - not global rules. What's allowed on one version may be banned on another.