---
title: "Power Chat – Maryana Iskander on trust, technology, and the future of Wikipedia"
description: "In this episode of Power Chat, Ferial Haffajee speaks with Maryana Iskander, CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, about Wikipedia’s critical role in the digital information ecosystem. From the platform’s symbiotic relationship with tech giants to the legal and community frameworks that protect it, Maryana offers a candid look into the future of free knowledge."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "VIDEOCAST"
author: "Ferial Haffajee"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/ferialhaffajee/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-01-power-chat-ferial-haffajee-in-conversation-with-wikimedia-ceo-maryana-iskander/"
published: "2025-06-01T11:36:58"
updated: "2025-06-01T11:37:50"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 71
---

# Power Chat – Maryana Iskander on trust, technology, and the future of Wikipedia

> In this episode of Power Chat, Ferial Haffajee speaks with Maryana Iskander, CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, about Wikipedia’s critical role in the digital information ecosystem. From the platform’s symbiotic relationship with tech giants to the legal and community frameworks that protect it, Maryana offers a candid look into the future of free knowledge.

By Ferial Haffajee · Published 1 June 2025, 13:36 SAST · Updated 1 June 2025, 13:37 SAST

## Key points
- In a world where democracy often feels like a game of hide-and-seek, this riveting production by Bernard Kotze and Emilie Gambade serves up a hearty reminder that the truth is worth chasing down, even if it takes a few unexpected twists and turns.
- A new video from Daily Maverick explores the critical role of journalism in safeguarding democracy.
- Produced by Bernard Kotze and Emilie Gambade, it highlights the challenges faced by the media today.
- The piece urges viewers to support independent journalism as a means to protect democratic values.
- Subscribe to the Daily Maverick YouTube channel for more insightful content.

## Content

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8LHZ8jT7Ug)

[Media](https://player.simplecast.com/d95ca688-b92f-430f-a9d5-bf40b2d28cf5?dark=true)

01:15 Maintaining Trust in Wikipedia
03:00 Era of Disinformation
06:47 Wikipedia's Role in the AI Age
08:31 Wikipedia's Symbiotic Relationship with Tech Giants
15:45 Wikipedia's Legal and Community Support
23:20 Efforts to Close the Gender Gap
26:22 Wikipedia's Global Volunteer Community
33:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Produced by: Emilie Gambade & Bernard Kotze

Support journalism that protects democracy. [Become a Maverick Insider](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/).
Subscribe to [Daily Maverick YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@DailyMaverickChannel). **DM**