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Delhi court orders Wikipedia to delete "Defamatory" statements

The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, has been directed by an Indian court to remove specific statements from the Wikipedia page of the domestic news agency Asian News International (ANI). The Delhi High Court ruled on Thursday that certain descriptions of ANI on its Wikipedia page were "defamatory" and tarnished the agency's professional standing, ordering their removal.  

This directive marks the latest instance of a major technology platform facing legal pressure in India over content moderation. Wikimedia follows X (formerly Twitter) in becoming entangled in court battles concerning content takedown orders in recent years.   

The lawsuit was initiated last year by ANI, which claimed that a description on its Wikipedia page stating it had faced criticism for being a government "propaganda tool" was defamatory. ANI sought the removal of these statements from the online encyclopedia.  

In its order, the Delhi High Court stated that the "impugned statements are... defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of" ANI, thus necessitating their removal.  

As of now, the Wikimedia Foundation has not issued a response regarding the ruling or indicated whether it intends to appeal the decision. Similarly, Reuters, which holds a 26% stake in ANI, has not commented on the matter. Reuters has previously clarified that it is not involved in ANI's business practices or operational activities.  

The legal proceedings are ongoing, with ANI seeking approximately 20 million rupees ($240,000) in damages and a formal apology from Wikimedia.  

 Sidhant Kumar, a lawyer representing ANI, told Reuters that the court's ruling "affirms the fundamental right to reputation."  
 The legal dispute has prompted Wikimedia, based in the United States, to raise concerns about the state of free speech within India. In October of last year, the same court had ordered the removal of a Wikipedia page directly related to the ongoing dispute, citing it as "interference in court proceedings." This earlier order led Wikimedia to file an appeal with the Supreme Court in January.  
 In its Supreme Court filing, Wikimedia argued that "the selective and permanent takedown... creates a chilling effect on free speech, and restricts access to knowledge."  
 Separately, X is also currently challenging government directives to block certain posts related to Indian farmers' protests that occurred in 2021.  
 The Delhi High Court will continue to hear the defamation case filed by ANI against the Wikimedia Foundation.
 
 Also Read: Delhi Court: MeitY's Deepfake Report Deadline Pushed to July
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