Wikipedia defies a Russian request to erase content about the Ukraine war

• Wikipedia is one of the only significant fact-checked Russian-language sources of information for Russians.
• Moscow court said that the falsehoods on Wikipedia represented a threat to Russian public order.
• The Wikimedia Foundation says people have a right to know the truth about the conflict.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which runs Wikipedia; has filed an appeal against a Moscow court order requiring it to erase material on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine; stating that people have a right to know the truth about the conflict.
The Wikimedia Foundation was fined 5 million roubles ($88,000) by a Moscow court; for refusing to remove what it called “disinformation” from Russian-language Wikipedia articles on the war; including “The Russian Invasion of Ukraine,” “War Crimes During the Russian Invasion of Ukraine”; and “Massacre in Bucha.”

Read More: Wikipedia creator’s computer and NFT of first edit up for auction

In a statement, Stephen LaPorte, associate general counsel of the Wikimedia Foundation; said, “This ruling indicates that well-sourced, verified knowledge on Wikipedia that is contradictory with Russian government claims constitutes misinformation.”

Read More: Wikipedia Is All Set To Revamp After A Decade