The Wikimedia Foundation, which directs Wikipedia, has asked the Supreme Court of India to cancel an order that directed the online encyclopedia operator that eliminates a page that describes its legal dispute with a national news agency, arose on Tuesday.
Wikimedia told the Court that complying with the directive would have a “chilling effect on freedom of expression.”
Indian news agency ANI Last year he sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Superior Court of Delhi for the way in which the news agency was described on the platform, which is directed by a community of volunteer editors. ANI Said in his demand that he was being described on his Wikipedia page as an agency that faces criticism for being a “propaganda tool” for the government. The platform eliminated the editions that reflected the “true and correct” position.
While this case is still pending, the Superior Court in October ruled another Wikipedia page related to the legal dispute, calling it “interference in judicial procedures.”
In a new legal challenge against that decision, Wikimedia has told the Supreme Court of India to cancel the ruling, saying that he violates his right to “organize a page in judicial procedures.”
The challenge was presented on January 15 and has not been made public. Was reviewed and verified by Reuters today.
“The selective and permanent demolition … creates a chilling effect on freedom of expression and restricts access to knowledge,” Wikimedia said in the presentation of the appeal.
The appeal was heard by the judges on Monday for the first time. The Supreme Court pointed out that the issue involved a question “about the freedom of the media” and was asked ANI To present a written response about the legal challenge.
ANISidhant Kumar’s lawyer refused to comment on Wikimedia’s challenge “since the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.” Wikimedia did not respond to a request for comments.
Reuterswhich has a 26 percent participation in ANIHe did not respond immediately to a request for comments. He has previously said that he was not involved in ANICommercial practices or operations.
Wikimedia is the second important technological platform in recent years in undertaking legal actions against content elimination orders in India. The Twitter social networks, now known as X, is also fighting a case that defies the orders of the federal government to block some publications on farmers’ protests in 2021.
The Supreme Court is expected to celebrate its next hearing on the case of Wikimedia on April 4.
