New Delhi: A suit has been filed by the ANI Media Private Limited at the Delhi High Court against Wikipedia over alleged ‘defamatory’ description of the news agency.
Justice Navin Chawla has issued a notice on ANI’s plea seeking interim relief in the suit and listed the matter for hearing next on August 20, reported LiveLaw.
In its defamation suit, ANI has sought to restrain Wikipedia from publishing content that is allegedly defamatory about the news agency’s page on its platform. It has also sought that the content be removed. The news agency has also sought Rs. 2 crores as damages from Wikipedia.
Wikipedia’s page says ANI “has been criticized for having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent central government, distributing materials from a vast network of fake news websites, and misreporting events,” reported LiveLaw.
Appearing on behalf of ANI, advocate Siddharth Kumar told the court that the content that is mentioned in the description is defamatory.
Justice Chawla remarked orally that Wikipedia is entitled to have opinions and that it will explain its actions before the court.
“At the end of the day, they are entitled to have opinions…They’ll come and explain. It’s a pure case of defamation,” the court said, reported LiveLaw.
ANI has said in its suit against Wikimedia Foundation and its officials, that Wikipedia has allegedly published palpably false and defamatory content with malicious intent of tarnishing ANI’s reputation discrediting its goodwill.
