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The committee is also requesting documentation on how the Wikimedia Foundation identifies and prevents malicious activity on the platform.
Wikipedia has faced scrutiny over alleged political bias several times (File Photo/AP)
Republican lawmakers on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee have launched an investigation into Wikipedia over allegations of organised bias. The probe, announced in a press release on Wednesday, is being led by Chair James Comer and Representative Nancy Mace. It centres around claims that coordinated efforts have been made to influence public opinion by manipulating content on the popular online platform.
The inquiry will examine whether Wikipedia has permitted violations of its own platform rules in ways that may have affected public discourse on politically and culturally sensitive topics. A formal request for information has been sent to Maryana Iskander, the chief executive officer of the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organisation that operates Wikipedia.
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According to Comer and Mace, the investigation forms part of a broader effort to assess how foreign operations and individuals affiliated with academic institutions, some of which receive funding from US taxpayers, may be influencing American public opinion through digital platforms.
The committee has requested specific information about volunteer editors alleged to have breached Wikipedia’s editorial policies. In their letter, the lawmakers cited “multiple studies and reports” that point to attempts to manipulate Wikipedia for propaganda purposes, particularly aimed at Western audiences.
One such example is a report from the Anti-Defamation League, which raised concerns about anti-Israel bias on Wikipedia. The lawmakers claim this reflects a wider, coordinated campaign to influence content related to the Israel-Palestine conflict and other politically contentious subjects.
They also referenced a report by the Atlantic Council which alleged that pro-Russian actors have used Wikipedia to disseminate pro-Kremlin, anti-Ukrainian narratives. They believe this content could potentially affect the training of AI-powered tools like chatbots.
“Our inquiry seeks information to help our examination of how Wikipedia responds to such threats and how frequently it creates accountability when intentional, egregious, or highly suspicious patterns of conduct on topics of sensitive public interest are brought to attention,” Comer and Mace wrote.
The committee is also requesting documentation on how the Wikimedia Foundation identifies and prevents malicious activity on the platform, as well as records concerning any potential coordination with foreign state actors.
A spokesperson for the Wikimedia Foundation confirmed that the organisation has received the request and is currently reviewing it.
Wikipedia has faced scrutiny in the past as well over alleged political bias. A 2024 report by the conservative Manhattan Institute found that entries on the platform were more likely to associate negative sentiment with right-leaning terms.
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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