Wikimedia CH: Free knowledge is crucial in the age of fake news and AI

Free, accurate, and neutral information has become even more important to society in the age of misinformation and disinformation (fake news) and increased use of AI. Wikimedia CH points this out on the occasion of the upcoming anniversary year 2026 – 25 years of Wikipedia, 20 years of Wikimedia CH. The projects of the Wikimedia Foundation, which include more than 15 other wiki projects in addition to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, have also become central sources of information here due to the rapidly growing use of short answers from search engines and AI applications.

“Free, accurate, and neutral information is the basis for general education, conscious participation, especially in Switzerland’s direct democracy, and for personal and professional development in school, training, and work,” says Jenny Ebermann, Executive Director of Wikimedia CH. “The content of the wiki projects, which is created and maintained entirely by volunteers, makes an invaluable contribution to society and to each individual.” The Wiki Movement in Switzerland is continuing its work with a variety of events, but is also celebrating its founding anniversaries this year under the motto “Knowing what connects us.”

25 years of Wikipedia: Available in all Swiss national languages

Wikipedia remains the world’s largest free encyclopedia and has also become a key source of information for search engines and AI queries. The English-language Wikipedia went online on January 15, 2001, and now comprises 7.1 million articles. The German-language Wikipedia (3.1 million articles) followed in March 2001. In May 2001, the French (2.7 million articles) and Italian-language Wikipedia (1.9 million articles) went online. Wikipedia is currently available in 343 active language versions, including Romansh (3,800 articles), Switzerland’s fourth national language.

“Swiss volunteers are active in all these languages. In doing so, they embody the linguistic and cultural diversity of our country,” says Jenny Ebermann. “They also contribute Swiss characteristics to the Wikipedia language versions that we share with our neighboring countries Germany, France, and Italy.” Unlike automatically generated information, all contributions are created, reviewed, and continuously updated and expanded by people. Funding comes solely from donations, not from advertising or the reuse of data.

More than 15 other online projects for free knowledge

In addition to Wikipedia, the Wikimedia Foundation runs more than 15 other online projects for free knowledge, which are also maintained and continuously expanded by volunteers. These include Wikimedia Commons, a free database for images, videos, music, and spoken texts; Wiktionary, a free dictionary for more than 230 languages; and Wikidata, a free knowledge database that is also machine-readable. Wikibooks is a collection of free textbooks and teaching materials. Wikisource comprises freely available source texts, including legal texts, fairy tales and legends, manuscripts, poems, and novels.

20 years of Wikimedia CH: For broad access to free information

Wikimedia CH was founded on May 14, 2006, in Olten. The non-profit organization is the official Swiss chapter of the Wikimedia Foundation and brings people in Switzerland together with the goal of spreading free knowledge for a neutrally informed, open society. Wikimedia CH enables volunteers to share knowledge through projects such as Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, and Wikidata, as well as related initiatives. In doing so, Wikimedia CH is committed to broad access to free and independent information and the interests of the wiki movement in Switzerland.

“Collecting and critically reviewing information, evidence, and sources, as well as working together to improve them, are core elements of the wiki movement,” says Jenny Ebermann. “Everyone can contribute according to their abilities and interests. Without volunteer involvement in the projects, 25 years of Wikipedia and 20 years of Wikimedia CH would not have been possible. We are working on a number of initiatives to further strengthen the wiki movement and secure the projects for the future.”

For further information and interview requests with Jenny Ebermann, Executive Director of Wikimedia CH, or volunteer contributors, please email to press@wikimedia.ch.

 

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Highlights

  • Wikimedia CH gladly invites you to the New Year’s Brunches in Zürich (10 January), Fribourg (18 January) and Chiasso (10 January) – details see event calendar
  • Wikipedia 25 Virtual Celebration, January 15
  • Wikipedia Day 2026 with General Assembly, Mai 30 (in preparation)