Wikipedia, the online collaborative encyclopedia, has issued an open letter condemning alleged threats made by a journalist from the renowned French magazine ‘Le Point’ towards one of its volunteers. The letter, which was made public through France Culture, claims that the journalist threatened to disclose the identity and profession of the volunteer.
In the letter, French Wikipedia volunteers expressed their full solidarity with their colleague FredD, who was reportedly targeted with threatening emails from the journalist at Le Point. The journalist allegedly contacted FredD on his personal phone number as well, issuing further threats.
According to France Culture, journalist Erwann Seznec reached out to FredD after noticing changes on Le Point’s Wikipedia page. These changes suggested that the magazine had adopted a ‘populist’ stance and was increasingly aligning with right-wing ideologies. In a message, the journalist reportedly warned, “We will publish an article revealing your identity and profession.” Wikipedia, in its open letter, stated that such threats are unacceptable.
Wikipedia emphasized that if the journalist had simply expressed his concerns on the article’s discussion page, the issue could have been resolved amicably. Instead, the journalist chose the path of direct threats. The letter not only condemns the journalist’s actions but also serves as a message of protection for Wikipedia volunteers, who work to ensure the accuracy of information while maintaining their anonymity.
According to Wikipedia, editorial disagreements should be resolved through discussion, not intimidation. This incident highlights the importance of protecting Wikipedia volunteers and upholding the right to freedom of expression, which are foundational to any democratic society.
