The Delhi High Court has directed the Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, to take down content deemed defamatory from the Wikipedia page of Asian News International (ANI), a prominent Indian news agency. The move follows ANI’s lawsuit alleging that the encyclopedia hosted statements portraying it as a government “propaganda tool,” damaging its professional reputation.
The court ruled on Thursday that the content was defamatory and tarnished ANI’s reputation, siding with ANI’s plea for its removal. While Wikimedia has yet to comment on the ruling or signal if it plans to appeal, the case has rekindled concerns about free speech and editorial independence in India.
ANI is seeking ₹2 crore (approx. $240,000) in damages and a formal apology from Wikimedia. The case remains ongoing.
This isn’t the first time Wikimedia has clashed with Indian courts. In October 2024, the Delhi High Court ordered the removal of a Wikipedia page linked to this dispute, which Wikimedia claims infringes on free speech and sets a troubling precedent for content moderation in India. The Foundation escalated the matter to the Supreme Court in January, warning that such rulings have a “chilling effect on free expression.”
The incident echoes a similar legal battle involving X (formerly Twitter), which is contesting Indian government orders to block content related to the 2021 farmers’ protests.
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