Original text uploaded to YouTube with video, by The Oslo Freedom Forum:
Jimmy Wales discusses the inception, impact, and future of the internet phenomenon Wikipedia. The free, peer-edited comprehensive encyclopedia, available in 240 languages worldwide, was created when Wales realized that the internet had the potential to bring the citizens of the world together, and that all that was needed were the proper tools. Wales is dedicated to the idea of free access to knowledge, transparency, and, above all, neutrality. Even the Wikipedia entries written in Farsi about the recent elections in Iran (a deeply polarizing issue) are surprisingly neutral. As a principle, Wales says, he does not cooperate with censorship, which is actually proving less of a challenge as time goes on. The cost of denying people access to knowledge is higher than ever before, and he believes that we are entering an era where censorship will become impossible. Wikipedia provides a place where everyone can turn for clear, accurate information. Those who try to "sneak" into Wikipedia with an agenda are immediately met with open discussion, dialogue, and debate. The site is monitored by a core community that cares about preserving its neutral nature. At times writing a fair and objective article can be life threatening - Wikipedia's citizen media interface allows these brave observers to publish the unbiased truth. Wales reminds us that contributors such as these deserve to be honored the most.