Wikipedia under investigation by Republicans over alleged bias

House Republicans announced on Wednesday, Aug. 27, that they have launched an investigation into Wikipedia, alleging that the internet encyclopedia has organized efforts to “inject bias” into its entries.

In a letter obtained by USA TODAY, the Republican-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer of Kentucky and the head of the cybersecurity subcommittee, Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina, sent a request for information to Wikipedia’s CEO Maryana Iskander.

Specifically, the request was made for an investigation into “foreign operations and individuals at academic institutions subsidized by U.S. taxpayer dollars to influence U.S. public opinion.”

“Multiple studies and reports have highlighted efforts to manipulate information on the Wikipedia platform for propaganda aimed at Western audiences,” the letter stated.

Committee alleges bias against Israel and Ukraine

In the letter, Comer and Mace referenced a report from the Anti-Defamation League, in which they allege that Wikipedia coordinated a campaign to manipulate entries related to the War in Gaza, which they allege advanced “antisemitic and anti-Israel information.”

“As our research showed earlier this year, antisemitism and anti-Israel bias on Wikipedia are a significant problem. We welcome the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform opening an investigation into this issue and thank Rep. James Comer for his leadership effort to address this hate,” in a statement released by ADL on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

The lawmakers also referenced a report from the think tank, Atlantic Council, which alleged that pro-Russia actors used Wikipedia to push pro-Kremlin messaging on its platform. 

The letter from the committee continued, requesting information about “the tools and methods Wikipedia utilizes to identify and stop malicious conduct online that injects bias and undermines neutral points of view on its platform.”

In a statement to USA TODAY, the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization that operates Wikipedia, said it would look into the request from Congress.

“We welcome the opportunity to respond to the Committee’s questions and to discuss the importance of safeguarding the integrity of information on our platform,” according to the organization.

(This story has been updated to include new information.)

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.