An Indian court ordered Wikipedia’s operator to remove defamatory statements. These statements, according to the court, appeared on the page of an Indian news agency. This directive is the latest one for the popular online encyclopedia.
Following X (formerly Twitter), the Wikimedia Foundation is the second major tech platform. It has become embroiled in court battles over content takedown orders in India in recent years.
ANI sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Delhi High Court last year. ANI cited a Wikipedia description that it faced criticism for being a government “propaganda tool” and sought to remove such statements.
The court stated, “The impugned statements are… defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of” ANI. In its Thursday order, the court said they should be removed.
The foundation did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling. They also did not respond about whether it will appeal.
Reuters owns a 26% stake in ANI, and also did not respond to a request for comment. Reuters has previously stated that it is not involved in ANI’s business practices or operations.
The court will continue to hear the case. ANI seeks damages of about 20 million rupees ($240,000) and an apology from Wikimedia in the case.
Sidhant Kumar, a lawyer for ANI, told Reuters in a statement, “affirms the fundamental right to reputation”.
As a result of the dispute, U.S.-based Wikimedia has raised questions about free speech. This is happening in the world’s largest democracy.
In October, the court ordered the takedown of a Wikipedia page related to the dispute. The court called it “interference in court proceedings”. Wikimedia went to the Supreme Court in January, protesting this order.
Wikimedia said in its Supreme Court filing that “the selective and permanent takedown… creates a chilling effect on free speech, and restricts access to knowledge”.
X is also challenging government orders to block some posts. These posts concerned Indian farmers’ protests in 2021.
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