Wikipedia’s Censorship Controversy During US Elections and Covid

The recent scandal involving NPR CEO Katherine Maher has once again reminded the cryptocurrency community to be wary of mainstream media. The resignation of NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner has caused shockwaves in the media industry, prompting criticism towards Maher. Activists, politicians, and editors have condemned Maher after Berliner faced penalties for criticizing NPR’s coverage in The Free Press.

Supporters of Berliner have come forward, with activist Christopher Rufo sharing a viral video in which Maher admits that certain information was censored on Wikipedia during the 2020 U.S. elections and the COVID-19 pandemic. Maher’s speech was made during an online panel discussion at the 360/Open Summit held by the Atlantic Council in 2021. This video gained traction on the social media platform X, coinciding with Berliner’s resignation.

In the video, Maher acknowledges that the Wikimedia Foundation, which owns Wikipedia, established a “clearinghouse of information” in response to the election and the pandemic. The intention was to allow editors to collaborate with the government in identifying threats. Maher further expressed her opinion that the First Amendment of the United States, which guarantees freedom of speech, poses a significant challenge. She claimed that protecting this freedom makes it difficult to suppress “bad information” and the “influence peddlers” who profit from it.

Prominent figures, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have taken notice of Maher’s confession. Musk reposted Rufo’s video and commented, expressing his surprise at the head of NPR’s apparent dislike for the U.S. Constitution. Musk also stated that he wasn’t astounded by Wikipedia’s censorship during the U.S. elections and the pandemic.

Maher’s skepticism towards freedom of speech contrasts with recent statements made by Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of Telegram. In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Durov emphasized that freedom of speech is Telegram’s top priority. He also revealed that he opts to own Bitcoin and cash, as he values his freedom and is focused on Telegram’s success, owning minimal “big assets” like land or real estate.

The ongoing scandal involving NPR CEO Katherine Maher and the resignation of NPR senior business editor Uri Berliner have prompted skepticism within the cryptocurrency community towards mainstream media. Maher’s admission about Wikipedia’s censorship has drawn significant attention, with prominent individuals like Elon Musk weighing in on the issue. The contrasting views on freedom of speech between Maher and Pavel Durov highlight the varying perspectives within the industry.