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ANI Sues Wikipedia's Parent Company for Rs 2 Crore Over Defamatory Content
The news agency Asian News International (ANI) has filed a ₹2 crore lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organisation behind Wikipedia
Hyderabad: The news agency Asian News International (ANI) has filed a ₹2 crore lawsuit against the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organisation behind Wikipedia. ANI's legal action claims that the Wikimedia Foundation allowed "misleading, negative, and defamatory" edits to be published on its Wikipedia page.
The controversy stems from allegations made on ANI's Wikipedia page. The page’s second paragraph suggests that ANI has been "accused of serving as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government," and distributing materials from "fake news websites," among other claims. ANI has contested that these statements were made with the "malicious intent" to damage its reputation.
During a recent hearing, Delhi High Court Justice Navin Chawla directed the Wikimedia Foundation to reveal the identities of the editors responsible for the controversial edits. He also made a striking comment suggesting that if Wikipedia finds India problematic, it should consider withdrawing its operations from the country.
The Questions in the Case are:
- Control Over Edits: Wikipedia operates on a model where anyone can contribute to and edit articles, but these contributions are reviewed by other users and administrators. This system aims to balance open access with accuracy, but can sometimes lead to disputes over content.
- Justice Chawla’s Remarks: Justice Chawla's strong statements reflect frustration with how Wikipedia's open-editing policy might impact reputations. His comments suggest concerns about accountability and the potential consequences for platforms operating within India.
- Possible Ban: The case raises questions about whether Wikipedia could face restrictions or a ban in India if the dispute is not resolved. The outcome will depend on the court’s decisions and the Wikimedia Foundation’s response to the allegations.
As the case progresses, the legal community and media observers will closely watch how this dispute might influence policies on online content management and freedom of expression.
