In a recent episode of The Tucker Carlson Show, Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger engaged in a revealing discussion with host Tucker Carlson about the controversial nature of Wikipedia's source approval process.
Sanger highlighted the ease with which individuals can access a list of sources blacklisted by the online encyclopedia, with Breitbart News prominently featured among those prohibited from citation. This revelation underscores the ongoing debate about Wikipedia's perceived bias, particularly its exclusion of certain conservative media outlets.
According to Breitbart, Sanger elaborated on the sources Wikipedia deems acceptable, listing "the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, The Nation, Mother Jones, [and] GLAAD" as fully approved. In stark contrast, he noted that conservative outlets such as Breitbart, Daily Caller, Epoch Times, Fox News, New York Post, and The Federalist are blacklisted.
This selective approval process raises questions about the platform's neutrality and the ideological leanings of its gatekeepers. Sanger pointed out that anyone can verify this information by searching for "perennial sources Wikipedia" online, which leads directly to the relevant page.
During the interview, Carlson observed that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is among the greenlit sources, though Sanger clarified that this approval is conditional, particularly concerning coverage of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Sanger also expressed surprise at the exclusion of a "serious academic encyclopedia of Christianity" from Wikipedia's approved sources, further highlighting the platform's contentious editorial decisions.
When Carlson inquired about the decision-makers behind these exclusions, Sanger identified an account known as "Mr. X" as responsible.
The conversation took a critical turn as Carlson questioned the lack of public discourse on this issue. Sanger speculated that the left's embarrassment over the matter might explain the silence, while the right has been vocal in its criticism. He referenced Breitbart News' ongoing coverage of Wikipedia's editorial practices, including the blacklisting of Breitbart as a reliable source in 2018 and recent controversies involving figures like Charlie Kirk.
In a caption accompanying the interview, Carlson asserted, "Larry Sanger built Wikipedia as an unbiased repository of the worlds knowledge, and then stood helplessly by as activists and intel agencies turned it into the most comprehensive propaganda op in human history. Theres nothing more corrupt."
This statement encapsulates the broader concerns about Wikipedia's role in shaping public discourse and the potential influence of ideological biases on its content.
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