I actually got to leave my mark on the internet, in a good way, by contributing to a Wikipedia article. Before this assignment, I never gave too much thought about how Wikipedia actually operates behind the scenes. Like most people, I’ve always used it as a quick source of information, but I never considered the process of editing or contributing to it. This assignment gave me a chance to move from just consuming information to actually participating in the creation of it.
For my edit, I chose the Wikipedia page for my hometown, which is Tustin, California. I wanted to add something that was both relevant and verifiable, so I decided to include a recent event that received national attention. In June 2024, a United States Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint in Tustin while President Joe Biden was in Southern California for a fundraiser. I used a New York Times article as my source to make sure the information was reliable and met Wikipedia’s standards.
One of the most interesting parts of this process was realizing how strict Wikipedia is about sourcing and neutrality. You can’t just add something because you think it’s important. It must be written in an unbiased manner and supported by a reliable source. Even something as simple as a news event must be worded carefully so that it does not appear biased or opinionated.
Another aspect of the process that caught my attention was the use of the “Talk” page. Before making my edit, I had to explain what I planned to add and why. What I learned from this is that Wikipedia is more of a community than an individual website; editors work together, share ideas, and critique each other’s work. That adds a level of accountability that I had not considered before
For me, an assignment like this project is vital to having a deeper understanding of digital media literacy. We often talk about how information is shaped by systems, algorithms, and human decisions, and Wikipedia is a perfect example of that. It’s not just a neutral database of facts; Wikipedia is in fact a constantly evolving platform shaped by contributors, sources, and editorial standards. Understanding that makes me more critical of the information I consume online.
Overall, this experience changed the way I look at Wikipedia. I now see it as a collaborative effort that depends on people to keep it accurate and up to date. It also made me realize how important it is to verify information and understand where it comes from. Going forward, I’ll definitely be more aware of how information is created and maintained, not just how it’s presented.
