Wikimedia Challenges India Court Order Over Free Speech
India-West News Desk
NEW DELHI – The Wikimedia Foundation has urged India’s Supreme Court to overturn an order requiring it to remove a Wikipedia page detailing its legal dispute with Indian news agency ANI, arguing that the directive threatens free speech.
In its appeal, Wikimedia warned that complying with the ruling would have a “chilling effect on free speech” and restrict public access to knowledge. ANI sued Wikimedia for defamation in the Delhi High Court last year, objecting to its Wikipedia page describing the agency as facing criticism for being a “propaganda tool” for the government. ANI claimed that edits presenting its “true and correct” position were repeatedly removed.
While the case remains ongoing, the high court in October ordered the removal of another Wikipedia page related to the lawsuit, calling it “interference in court proceedings.” Now, Wikimedia is challenging that decision, asserting its right to “host a page on court proceedings.”
India’s Supreme Court, which heard the appeal for the first time on March 17, acknowledged that the case raises questions about “freedom of media” and directed ANI to submit a written response, Reuters reported.
Wikimedia is the latest tech entity to challenge content takedown orders in India. Social media platform X, formerly Twitter, is also contesting government directives to remove posts related to the 2021 farmer protests.
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Shaan
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The Indian supreme court needs to be reformed. India should adopt a USA-like system, where the justices are appointed by parliament. Instead, they appoint themselves. So there is nobody keeping them in check. And their job is to INTERPRET law. Instead, they literally create law. Like why was the Supreme Court involved in Kashmir’s Article 370. That was an amendment to the Indian constitution itself! Parliament is allowed to change the Indian constitution how it sees fit.
March 29, 2025