The government has issued a notice to Wikipedia concerning alleged “bias and inaccuracy” on the platform, as reported by The Economic Times. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reached out to the online encyclopedia to clarify why it should be regarded as an intermediary rather than a publisher. This development occurs amidst an ongoing case in the Delhi High Court, where Wikipedia is facing claims of safeguarding users who made defamatory edits on Asian News International’s (ANI) page.
Wikipedia Receives Government Notice
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has raised several issues regarding Wikipedia’s content management, including concerns about biased and inaccurate entries, as well as the concentration of editorial control among a limited number of individuals.
The inquiry also included a request to clarify why the platform should not be classified as a publisher, given that Wikipedia asserts it operates on a volunteer-driven model, allowing users to create, edit, and manage content across a wide array of subjects.
This notice follows a recent comment from the Delhi High Court, which labeled the platform’s open editing policy as “dangerous.” The court is currently deliberating a case alleging that Wikipedia’s entry on ANI serves as a “propaganda tool” for the government. The judges expressed concerns that the platform’s unregulated editing system might facilitate the dissemination of misleading information about public figures and organizations.
Despite a court order, Wikipedia has reportedly declined to disclose the identities of users responsible for the disputed edits. Legal representatives for the encyclopedia maintain that users with editing privileges are required to comply with established policies regarding verifiable content and legal standards.
