<p>The operator of Wikipedia has been ordered to remove statement deemed defamatory by Delhi High Court from the page of a domestic news agency it hosts, the latest such directive to the popular online encyclopedia.</p><p>The Wikimedia Foundation is the second major tech platform, following X, formerly Twitter, to become embroiled in recent years in court battles over content takedown orders in India.</p><p>Last year the agency, ANI, sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Delhi High Court, citing a Wikipedia description that it faced criticism for being a government "propaganda tool" and sought removal of such statements.</p><p>In an order on Thursday, the court said, "The impugned statements are... defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of" ANI, and should be removed.</p><p>The foundation did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling and whether it will appeal.</p><p>Reuters, which owns a 26% stake in ANI, did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said it is not involved in ANI's business practices or operations.</p>.Four Wikipedia editors booked for not taking down objectionable content on Sambhaji Maharaj.<p>The court will continue to hear the case, in which ANI seeks damages of about Rs 2 crore and an apology from Wikimedia.</p><p>The ruling "affirms the fundamental right to reputation", a lawyer for ANI, Sidhant Kumar, told <em>Reuters</em> in a statement.</p><p>As a result of the dispute, US-based Wikimedia has raised questions about free speech in the world's largest democracy.</p><p>In October, the court ordered the takedown of a Wikipedia page related to the dispute, calling it "interference in court proceedings", prompting Wikimedia to go to the Supreme Court in January.</p><p>Wikimedia said in its Supreme Court filing that "the selective and permanent takedown... creates a chilling effect on free speech, and restricts access to knowledge".</p><p>X is also challenging government orders to block some posts about Indian farmers' protests in 2021. </p>
<p>The operator of Wikipedia has been ordered to remove statement deemed defamatory by Delhi High Court from the page of a domestic news agency it hosts, the latest such directive to the popular online encyclopedia.</p><p>The Wikimedia Foundation is the second major tech platform, following X, formerly Twitter, to become embroiled in recent years in court battles over content takedown orders in India.</p><p>Last year the agency, ANI, sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Delhi High Court, citing a Wikipedia description that it faced criticism for being a government "propaganda tool" and sought removal of such statements.</p><p>In an order on Thursday, the court said, "The impugned statements are... defamatory and tarnish the professional reputation of" ANI, and should be removed.</p><p>The foundation did not respond to a request for comment on the ruling and whether it will appeal.</p><p>Reuters, which owns a 26% stake in ANI, did not respond to a request for comment. It has previously said it is not involved in ANI's business practices or operations.</p>.Four Wikipedia editors booked for not taking down objectionable content on Sambhaji Maharaj.<p>The court will continue to hear the case, in which ANI seeks damages of about Rs 2 crore and an apology from Wikimedia.</p><p>The ruling "affirms the fundamental right to reputation", a lawyer for ANI, Sidhant Kumar, told <em>Reuters</em> in a statement.</p><p>As a result of the dispute, US-based Wikimedia has raised questions about free speech in the world's largest democracy.</p><p>In October, the court ordered the takedown of a Wikipedia page related to the dispute, calling it "interference in court proceedings", prompting Wikimedia to go to the Supreme Court in January.</p><p>Wikimedia said in its Supreme Court filing that "the selective and permanent takedown... creates a chilling effect on free speech, and restricts access to knowledge".</p><p>X is also challenging government orders to block some posts about Indian farmers' protests in 2021. </p>
