Submissions:2025/Fight Disinformation by Editing Wikipedia (Edit-a-thon)
This submission has been noted and is pending review for WikiConference North America 2025.
Title:
- Fight Disinformation by Editing Wikipedia (Edit-a-thon)
Type of session:
- Edit-a-thons or Workshops (30-120 min)
Session theme(s):
- Credibility, Missing pieces
Abstract:
Wikipedia has the potential to inform people and help them to better detect, understand, and deal with disinformation. This is key information that we need to get right. We can have a positive impact and also enhance the credibility of Wikipedia by increasing the quality of content that Wikipedia provides on topics relating to disinformation and misinformation.
At this edit-a-thon, we invite you to work on articles listed in the {{Template:Misinformation}} template. Template:Misinformation was reorganized as a result of planning sessions at WikiConference North America 2023 and WikiCredCon 2025. Articles in the template are now grouped into sections such as Core content, Mechanisms, Tactics, Targets and campaigns, Countering disinformation, Fact-checking and research, and related WikiProjects. Whether you are interested in describing how a particular tactic like a deepfake works and how it can be countered; providing accurate information on topics in medicine and public health like vaccine misinformation; addressing issues of gender equity and the safety of journalists; or ensuring that a fact-checking or research organization like Citizen Lab is accurately described and cited, we have a topic for you! Many of the Wikipedia articles listed in the template are still of low quality and focus on problems rather than solutions. You can help to improve them!
This edit-a-thon will be led by members of the Philadelphia WikiSalon who will provide training and coaching for new editors. Useful resources can be found in the list article Publications about disinformation and the Disinformation attack article, which discusses disinformation, how it works, and how people can learn to counter it. You can use writing techniques like the truth sandwich and weight of evidence, which are discussed in the Dealing with Disinformation handout on Wikimedia Commons.
When editing, ask yourself questions like "What is disinformation?" "How does disinformation relate to this article?" "How does disinformation work?" and "How can disinformation be countered?"
We encourage you to improve articles that can help people to better understand and deal with disinformation. Editors are welcome to work remotely or in person, before, during and after the conference.
Author name(s):
Wikimedia username(s):
- Mary Mark Ockerbloom
Affiliated organization(s):
- Philadelphia WikiSalon
Estimated length of session
- 120 minutes
Will you be presenting remotely?
- I will present in-person
Okay to livestream?
- Do not livestream
Previously presented?
Special requests:
- Doreva Belfiore will be helping with this edit-a-thon, so please do not schedule it on the same day as her talk proposal.