Defamation Lawsuit by ANI
Indian news agency ANI filed a defamation suit against Wikimedia Foundation and three Wikipedia administrators in the Delhi High Court.
ANI alleges defamatory content on its Wikipedia page, accusing it of being a propaganda tool and spreading fake news.
What is Wikipedia?
Wikipedia is a free, community-driven online encyclopaedia where volunteers worldwide contribute and maintain content.
Anyone can edit, but content must be backed by verifiable sources, and experts contribute to improving the page quality.
The Dispute
ANI claims that defamatory statements on its Wikipedia page were not only false but that attempts by ANI editors to remove or correct them were blocked by Wikipedia administrators.
The page was later "protected" to prevent further edits by ANI-associated editors, which ANI argues violates intermediary laws under India’s IT Act.
Safe-Harbour Protection
Wikimedia, as the platform host, typically enjoys "safe-harbour" protection under Indian law, meaning it is not held responsible for user-generated content.
However, ANI argues that by participating in blocking edits, Wikimedia forfeited its safe-harbour status.
Role of Wikimedia and Wikipedia Administrators
Wikimedia Foundation provides technical infrastructure but does not control or edit Wikipedia content.
Wikipedia editors, including "administrators", are elected by the community and have the power to protect pages, limiting who can edit them.
Wikimedia has no role in selecting or monitoring administrators, nor in creating or approving content.
Impact of Losing Safe-Harbour Status
If Wikipedia loses its safe-harbour protection, it could affect the platform's ability to operate freely and securely in India.
Editors may feel less secure in making edits, fearing legal repercussions or retaliation for controversial edits.
It could also harm Wikipedia's reputation for unbiased, community-driven content, as judicial intervention could disrupt its editorial independence.
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