We protect the right to free knowledge.
Everyone, everywhere has the right to access and share knowledge. By working with Wikimedia volunteers and affiliate organizations around the world, we protect free and open knowledge online, the people who make it possible, and our shared values.
Defending free expression
We defend everyone’s right to access free knowledge. We protect free expression rights; oppose government-imposed censorship; and educate governments, regulators, and lawmakers to defend people’s right to access and share knowledge globally.
Advancing better internet regulations
We help lawmakers support the right of online platforms and communities to create and share knowledge. We advocate laws that protect our ability to host content that Wikimedia volunteers share and edit. We are transparent about how we handle government demands to remove content or share data.
Promoting open copyright licenses
Creating and remixing content is vital for Wikimedia projects. We support copyright laws that promote a strong public domain and enable the use of free and open licenses so Wikimedia volunteers can contribute to knowledge broadly.
Upholding human rights
Volunteers may face surveillance, harassment, and retaliation for their work on Wikimedia projects. We defend their human rights, and we work to promote a safe online environment to create and share knowledge.
Protecting privacy
Privacy enables people to engage and share knowledge freely, without fear of someone watching their online lives. We defend everyone’s right to privacy and challenge mass surveillance.
Fighting disinformation
We stand for the right of everyone, everywhere to participate in free knowledge. In early 2022, when sanctions were imposed against the Russian government for invading Ukraine, we worked with our partners to make sure the Russian people could continue to access the open internet.
Learn more about our work, including research initiatives and how to get involved.
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Wikimedia Foundation and global communities call on UN Member States to protect Wikipedia and other public interest projects in the Global Digital Compact
New open letter calls for UN Member States to include three key commitments in the Global Digital Compact that can allow public interest projects and the people who create them to thrive.
Open letter to protect Wikipedia and other public interest projects in the Global Digital Compact
A new open letter from the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that operates Wikipedia and other Wikimedia projects, and Wikimedia affiliates around the world calls on UN Member States to protect Wikipedia and other public interest projects in the forthcoming Global Digital Compact.
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Photo credits
LABNL Lab Cultural Ciudadano
Jason Krüger for Wikimedia Deutschland e.V.
