Wikinews

Wikinews
source
Name	Wikinews
Url	[https://en.wikinews.org/]
Type	Online newspaper
Registration	Optional
Language	Multilingual
Owner	Wikimedia Foundation
Launch date	2004
Current status	Active

Wikinews is a free-content online newspaper, operated by the Wikimedia Foundation, that publishes news articles written by Wikipedia editors and other volunteers. The project was launched in 2004, with the goal of providing a platform for citizen journalism, similar to OhmyNews and Indymedia. Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, played a key role in the development of Wikinews, which is available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and German. The project is supported by the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger.

Introduction

Wikinews is a unique online newspaper that allows anyone to contribute and edit news articles, similar to Wikipedia. The project is based on the principles of Wiki technology, which enables collaborative editing and content creation. Wikinews articles are written and edited by a community of volunteers, including Wikipedia editors, journalists, and experts in various fields, such as Noam Chomsky, Amy Goodman, and Glenn Greenwald. The project has been compared to other online news sources, such as The Huffington Post, ProPublica, and The Guardian, which also rely on citizen journalism and collaborative reporting.

History

The history of Wikinews dates back to 2004, when the project was launched by the Wikimedia Foundation. The first edition of Wikinews was published in English, with subsequent editions launched in other languages, including French, Spanish, and German. The project was initially met with skepticism by some journalists and media critics, including Nicholas Carr, Andrew Keen, and Jay Rosen, who questioned the accuracy and reliability of citizen-generated news content. However, Wikinews has since gained recognition and credibility, with articles being cited by major news outlets, such as The New York Times, BBC News, and Al Jazeera.

Content and Structure

The content of Wikinews is diverse and global in scope, covering news stories from around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The project has a unique structure, with articles being written and edited by a community of volunteers, using a collaborative editing process. Wikinews articles are organized into categories, such as Politics, Business, Sports, and Entertainment, and are often illustrated with images and videos from Wikimedia Commons. The project also features original reporting, interviews, and analysis, with contributions from experts and journalists, such as Sarah Kendzior, Glenn Greenwald, and Julian Assange.

Sister Projects

Wikinews is part of a larger family of Wikimedia projects, including Wikipedia, Wikibooks, Wikiversity, and Wikimedia Commons. These projects share a common goal of providing free and open access to knowledge and information, and are supported by the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikinews also collaborates with other online news sources, such as The Intercept, ProPublica, and The Guardian, to provide in-depth coverage of major news stories, including the Edward Snowden revelations and the Arab Spring.

Impact and Reception

The impact of Wikinews has been significant, with the project providing a platform for citizen journalism and collaborative reporting. Wikinews has been recognized for its coverage of major news events, including the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the 2011 Arab Spring. The project has also been praised for its unique approach to news gathering and reporting, which emphasizes collaboration and transparency, similar to The Guardian's The Guardian's Comment is Free section. However, Wikinews has also faced criticism and challenges, including concerns about accuracy and reliability, as well as the potential for bias and vandalism, similar to Wikipedia.

Criticisms and Challenges

Despite its successes, Wikinews has faced several criticisms and challenges, including concerns about accuracy and reliability, as well as the potential for bias and vandalism. Some critics, including Nicholas Carr and Andrew Keen, have argued that Wikinews lacks the editorial oversight and fact-checking of traditional news sources, such as The New York Times and BBC News. However, Wikinews has implemented various measures to address these concerns, including the use of Wiki technology to track changes and edits, and the establishment of a Wikinews review process to ensure the accuracy and reliability of articles. The project has also been supported by major news outlets, including The Guardian and Al Jazeera, which have recognized the value of citizen journalism and collaborative reporting. Category:Online newspapers