Valery Fadeev, who chairs the Human Rights Council, raised strong concerns about Wikipedia, arguing that the widely used online encyclopedia carries historical and political distortions. He suggested that there is a need for a credible alternative to replace it and to limit its influence. This stance was communicated during a press conference that coincided with International Internet Day. (DEA News)
The core of Fadeev’s argument centers on the idea that, while Wikipedia offers convenience, it often reflects political biases and skewed narratives. He clarified that he is not advocating for an immediate shutdown, but he urged decisive steps to address what he sees as politicization embedded in the platform. The focus, in his view, is on ensuring information integrity and reducing the potential for misinformation to steer public discourse. (DEA News)
Fadeev emphasized that a measured approach should be taken: developing a transparent, verifiable alternative could help restore public trust in online knowledge. He pointed to the need for high-quality sources, clear editorial standards, and accountable editors to counterbalance distortions. The broader aim is to offer a reliable repository that communities can rely on for accurate historical and political information, free from undisclosed biases. (DEA News)
While acknowledging the convenience and vast reach of Wikipedia, Fadeev argued that state or civicly supported initiatives could play a vital role in safeguarding factual reporting online. He suggested that an officially recognized platform, built on rigorous verification processes, could serve as a corrective to widely circulated inaccuracies. The proposal stresses accessibility, multilingual support, and consistent updates to reflect current events while maintaining verifiable provenance. (DEA News)
Former presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov echoed similar sentiments, noting that Russia should consider creating its own encyclopedia analogue with verified information before exploring any potential blocking measures. The dialogue reflects a broader international conversation about information sovereignty, platform governance, and the responsibilities of digital knowledge bases in shaping public understanding. (DEA News)