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The Indian government has taken a firm stance against Wikipedia, expressing concerns over alleged bias and inaccurate information presented on the platform. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting sent a formal notice to Wikipedia, citing numerous complaints regarding the content hosted on its pages. This action comes in the wake of a Delhi High Court ruling that characterized Wikipedia's open editing system as 'dangerous' and highlights the growing scrutiny of online platforms for their content moderation practices.
The government's notice specifically questioned Wikipedia's status as an intermediary, arguing that its role should be redefined as a publisher due to the potential for inaccuracies and bias in its content. The notice suggests that a limited group exerts significant editorial control over the information displayed on Wikipedia, raising concerns about transparency and accountability. The Indian government has expressed deep worry about the potential for misinformation to spread on Wikipedia, particularly given the site's global reach and influence.
This development follows a recent legal case involving Wikipedia and the Indian news agency ANI. The Delhi High Court issued a contempt notice to Wikipedia after it failed to disclose information about users responsible for allegedly defamatory edits on ANI's Wikipedia page. The court warned of suspending Wikipedia's operations if it did not comply with its order. ANI's legal action underscores the increasing pressure on Wikipedia to address concerns about user-generated content and the potential for abuse of its open editing system.
Source: Centre Questions Wikipedia Over ‘Complaints Of Bias And Inaccuracies', Issues Notice News24 -