Wikimedia Foundation

Fifteen years ago, a new digital doorway opened for the Banjar language. Spoken by millions in Kalimantan and beyond, Banjar has a space on Wikipedia – where speakers can read and share knowledge in their mother tongue thanks to Banjar Wikipedia. Launched on 17 October 2010, the Banjar edition allows volunteers to document local culture, history, and science while preserving linguistic heritage. One of the traditional music arts of the Banjar people is Musik Panting, dominated by the lutelike instrument known as a panting. This style was originally for one musician. In modern times, the panting is often played with other instruments, such as the babun (gendang), agung (gong), and piul (violin). This is just one of many cultural traditions with a history that is made more accessible on Banjar Wikipedia. By celebrating this milestone, we honor the volunteers who keep Banjar knowledge vibrant and invite new contributors to help expand the encyclopedia in years to come. Learn more about Banjar ➡️ https://w.wiki/FUnE

Twice a year, we release a Transparency Report documenting the requests the Wikimedia Foundation receives to alter or remove content from Wikimedia projects and to provide nonpublic information about users. Transparency is a cornerstone of the Wikimedia movement. In this report, you can learn what sorts of requests we receive, where they are from, and which projects received requests. We evaluate each case thoroughly and work with the volunteer community to determine the best outcome. We push back against requests that could harm users’ human rights or affect the volunteers’ ability to enforce community guidelines for neutrality, content quality, and citation. And when we must respond to the small number of valid takedown notices we receive, we tell you. Read the full report ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eT4kTrdZ  

Readers around the world turn to Wikipedia for health information — from pregnancy to stroke to regional health challenges. But how do those pages get written, and who ensures they are reliable? A recent feature in "Health Business" looks at the collaborative process behind Wikipedia’s medical content. Volunteer editors – including doctors, researchers, and community members – work together to make sure articles are accurate, accessible, and up to date. They follow strict sourcing policies, rely on peer-reviewed publications, and debate wording on talk pages until consensus is reached. One editor, radiologist Dr. Netha Hussain, started writing in Malayalam before expanding to global health topics. Her work highlights how volunteers bridge language gaps and address underrepresented issues, including healthcare in Africa. The result is health knowledge that is freely licensed and available worldwide, created through a model of open collaboration. Since 2011, tens of thousands of translations have been produced, spanning more than 150 languages. Peer review and strict sourcing ensure reliability, and discussions on talk pages guide updates when new research emerges. This living, community‑driven model shows that Wikipedia can deliver accurate health information to a global audience. Learn more about this story of collaborative knowledge in action ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eg6hB67P

Every shoebox of photos and stack of letters holds a fragment of history. Projects like this one, run by Wikimedistas de Bolivia, help digitize family collections – especially those featuring artists, musicians, and writers – and share them on Wikimedia Commons. By doing so, they turn private memories into public cultural knowledge, enriching articles and exhibitions. Explore the project ➡️ https://w.wiki/FLhj

Is it a bad thing to be called a "dive bar" on Wikipedia? According to the people behind the bar that's used in the "dive bar" Wikipedia article, not really. "It’s free advertising", says the owner of Merrimaker. Traditionally used as a pejorative, the term "dive bar" now refers to unpretentious watering holes cherished for their atmosphere. One such bar in Los Osos, California (US), became unexpectedly famous when a photo of it illustrated the Wikipedia article on dive bars. The image captured well‑worn decor and a loyal clientele, turning the Merrimaker into "Wikipedia’s favorite dive bar". After renovations and a change of ownership, locals debate whether it still qualifies as a dive. But it will always have a special place in Wikipedia history as an example of the local institutions that get shared with a global community. Get a pint more of knowledge about the Merrimaker's Wikipedia fame ➡️ https://lnkd.in/e8yRas_z

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well‑being. It is more than the absence of illness; it involves realizing personal potential, coping with daily stresses, and contributing to community life. While mental healthcare is best left to a professional, Wikipedia is a great place to start learning. Wikipedia’s vast collection of medical articles, viewed hundreds of millions of times each month, provides clear summaries of conditions and treatments for readers and professionals alike. Volunteers and experts collaborate to ensure neutrality, cite high‑quality research, and translate key articles into dozens of languages. Their work reduces stigma and bridges gaps in health knowledge, reminding us that accurate information and compassionate understanding are crucial to well‑being. Start a journey reading science-backed insights on mental health ➡️ https://w.wiki/FcU8

What happens when voices long overlooked take center stage? The Africa Wiki Women Voices Podcast amplifies the experiences of African women who contribute to the Wikimedia movement. In this episode, host Oluwapelumi Aina and Wikimedia Foundation’s Euphemia Uwandu explore how Wikimedia’s campaign tools can be made more accessible. Created to counter underrepresentation, the podcast gives guests a platform to share stories of leadership, community building, and open knowledge across topics like culture, technology, and education. Each episode invites community leaders, young changemakers, and gender advocates to discuss how volunteering with Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects is changing lives. Listeners hear how local language projects flourish, how podcasts foster cultural preservation, and how volunteers mentor one another to expand articles and organise edit‑a‑thons. By highlighting the challenges and successes of African women, the show sparks curiosity and encourages others to join the movement. Listen to the latest episode ➡️ https://w.wiki/FbeR

Will connection ever triumph over division online? In her essay, sociology professor Aarushi Bhandari reflects on the internet’s evolution from its tumultuous early days to becoming an intimate extension of our lives through smartphones and algorithms. While these platforms have fused with how we think, feel, and engage, they often foster alienation and outrage rather than understanding and compassion. Bhandari explores how algorithms can reward trolling, cyberbullying, and emotional manipulation. All designed to capture our attention and profits. Yet even amid growing despair, she finds glimmers of hope. Sociologist Erik Olin Wright cited Wikipedia as an example of digital cooperation, free knowledge created collectively without likes or monetization, reflecting the principle of "from each according to ability, to each according to need". Bhandari invites us to imagine more tools and platforms built on these values, spaces designed for collective flourishing rather than profit. Read Bhandari's essay on The Conversation and find hope for the internet ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eu5Wtydx

What does it take to bring thousands of voices together to grow free knowledge? For the Bangla community, the answer was collaboration. Not long ago, many Bangla Wikimedia projects were struggling. Contests and edit-a-thons happened only occasionally, often limited to Bangla Wikipedia. Organizers worked hard but mostly on their own, facing funding uncertainties and limited coordination. That changed with the launch of Bangla WikiConnect. Instead of running isolated events, volunteers joined forces, shared skills, and supported each other across projects. The results have been remarkable. In short time, more than 10,000 new articles, pages, and entries have been created; over 3 million words have been added; more than 200 contributors have taken part; and over 1,000 participants have expressed interest in helping the projects grow. Learn more about how Bangla WikiConnect breathed life into Bangla Wikimedia projects ➡️ https://w.wiki/FSnh

To celebrate and grow the Wali language, spoken in Ghana, the Wali Wikimedians Community came together for the Wali Mash-Up Edit-a-thon. Over the course of a month, participants created more than 220 new Wikipedia articles, improved hundreds more, added nearly 200,000 words, and shared their knowledge through photos and media. This edit-a-thon amplified narratives, ensuring that Africa’s voices are represented online, and equipping students and young volunteers with digital skills to shape their community’s story. With expert guidance, local leadership, and the energy of young contributors, the event highlighted the impact of partnerships in tackling content gaps and misinformation. Learn more ➡️ https://w.wiki/_njL2