Wikimedia Challenges Delhi Court Order to Remove Alleged Defamatory Content on ANI
The Wikimedia Foundation, operator of the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, has challenged a recent Delhi High Court order requiring the removal of allegedly defamatory statements about Indian news agency ANI from its platform. The order was issued following a lawsuit filed by ANI last year, citing a Wikipedia entry that described the agency as facing criticism for being a government “propaganda tool.” ANI sought the removal of such remarks from its Wikipedia page.
According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Wikimedia has now filed an appeal seeking a review of the decision by a larger bench of the same court. The sources, who declined to be named due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, said Wikimedia is pushing back against the ruling, although the organization has yet to issue an official comment on the matter.
This legal dispute places Wikimedia alongside other global tech platforms facing judicial scrutiny in India. Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) is also contesting government orders to block posts related to the 2021 Indian farmers’ protests. Meanwhile, Reuters, which owns a 26% stake in ANI, clarified it has no involvement in ANI’s operations or editorial practices.
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