Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Short description|Indian news agency}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Asian News International
| logo = Ani-logo-black.png
| type = [[News agency]]
| industry = Media, news media
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1971|12|9}}<ref>{{cite web |title=ANI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED – Company, directors and contact details |url=https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/ANI-MEDIA-PRIVATE-LIMITED/U74899DL1971PTC005895 |website=zaubacorp.com |access-date=22 June 2018 |language=en |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109083846/https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/ANI-MEDIA-PRIVATE-LIMITED/U74899DL1971PTC005895 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| founder = Prem Prakash
| hq_location_city = New Delhi
| area_served = India, South Asia
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Sanjiv Prakash<br />(CEO)|Prem Prakash<br />(Chairman)}}
| owner = ANI Media Private Limited<ref>{{cite web |title=Terms & Conditions |url=https://www.aninews.in/term-condition/ |website=Asian News International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118210258/https://www.aninews.in/term-condition/ |archive-date=18 January 2021 |url-status=live |language=en |access-date=22 June 2018}}</ref>
| parent =
| website = {{URL|aninews.in}}
}}
'''Asian News International''' ('''ANI''') is an Indian [[news agency]] that offers syndicated multimedia news feeds to news bureaus in India.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHujEBLJcvIC |title=News Agencies from Pigeon to Internet |last1=Shrivastava |first1=K. M. |date=2007 |publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-1-932705-67-6 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711013945/https://books.google.com/books?id=MHujEBLJcvIC |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Paterson |first1=Chris A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVffFCoGSuIC |title=International News in the 21st Century |last2=Sreberny |first2=Annabelle |date=2004 |publisher=[[Georgetown University Press]] |isbn=978-1-86020-596-5 |page=122 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Anuradha |date=February 5, 2022 |title=Footaging It Fleetly |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/society/footaging-it-fleetly-news-288837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805171255/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/footaging-it-fleetly/288837 |archive-date=2020-08-05 |access-date=29 December 2019 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref> The company was established by Prem Prakash in 1971 and, under the name TVNF, it soon became the first agency in India to [[syndicate]] video news.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsJlAgAAQBAJ |title=Web Journalism-The Craft & Technology |last1=Saxena |first1=Sunil |publisher=Tata McGraw-HillEducation |isbn=978-0-07-068083-8 |page=16 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711013946/https://books.google.com/books?id=YsJlAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> Drawing upon connections within the Indian government, ANI expanded greatly during the early 2000s. After a period of downturn, the company regained a [[Monopoly|monopolistic]] position; {{as of|2019|lc=y|post=,}} it is India's largest television news agency,<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> and {{as of|2024|lc=y|post=,}} the largest newswire service.<ref name="BBC 30 October 2024" />
Investigations by ''[[The Caravan]]'' and ''[[The Ken]]'' into the company have alleged that the ANI has been closely associated with the [[government of India]] for decades, including under [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] rule, but especially after the election of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in 2014, with its reporting alleged to favour and serve as a "propaganda tool" for the government's agenda.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> ANI has been accused of amplifying a vast network of [[Fake news in India#Fake news against Pakistan|fake news websites]] spreading pro-government, [[Anti-Pakistan sentiment|anti-Pakistan]], and [[anti-China sentiment|anti-China]] propaganda,<ref name="hussain-2020">{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Abid |last2=Menon |first2=Shruti |date=10 December 2020 |title=The dead professor and the vast pro-India disinformation campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112173402/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432 |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=10 December 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |quote=The network was designed primarily to "discredit Pakistan internationally" and influence decision-making at the [[UN Human Rights Council]] (UNHRC) and European Parliament, EU DisinfoLab said.}}</ref><ref name="saeed-2020" /><ref name="rej" /> as well as quoting apparently fabricated sources associated with these websites.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=23 February 2023 |title=Modi Govt's Go-To News Agency ANI 'Quotes Geopolitical Experts, Think Tanks That Don't Exist': Report |url=https://thewire.in/media/ani-eu-disinfolab-bad-sources |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=[[The Wire (India)]] |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Establishment and early years (1971–2000) ===
Prem Prakash started his career in the field of photography, working for [[Visnews]] (and [[Reuters]]) as a [[photojournalist]], where he went on to cover some of the most significant historical events in post-independence India.<ref name="donthi-2019">{{Cite web |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/ani-reports-government-version-truth |title=The Image Makers : How ANI Reports The Government's Version Of Truth |last=Donthi |first=Praveen |date=1 March 2019 |website=[[The Caravan]] |language=en |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208225504/https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/ani-reports-government-version-truth |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ahluwalia-2018">{{Cite web |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Harveen |last2=Srivilasan |first2=Pranav |date=21 October 2018 |title=How ANI quietly built a monopoly |url=https://the-ken.com/story/ani-video-news-monopoly/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116213511/https://the-ken.com/story/ani-video-news-monopoly/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 December 2019 |website=[[The Ken]] |language=en-US}}</ref> A significant figure in the domain of news and documentary film-making by the 1970s, he commanded considerable respect among foreign journalists and film-makers, and received the [[Order of the British Empire#Current classes|MBE]].<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> In 1971, Prem established ANI (initially TVNF, India's first television news feature agency), which gained influence within the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] Government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> TVNF played a key role in fulfilling [[Indira Gandhi]]'s wishes of showcasing a positive image of India. It produced numerous films for [[Doordarshan]] and went on to gain a monopoly in the sector.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
Smita Prakash, an alumna of the [[Indian Institute of Mass Communication]], joined ANI in 1986 as an intern and later became a full-time employee.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> The daughter of Inna Ramamohan Rao, former director of the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] married Prem's son Sanjiv in 1988, which furthered ANI's access within the government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> In 1993, [[Reuters]] purchased a stake in ANI, and it was allowed to exert a complete monopoly over their India feed.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
=== Expansion (2000–present) ===
By 2000, India saw a boom of private [[24/7 service|24/7]] news channels; however, unsustainable revenue models meant that they lacked the capacity to hire video-reporters across the country.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> This allowed a massive expansion of ANI's domestic video-production capacities at the behest of Sanjiv, who rose through the ranks. Smita also rose through the ranks with him.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> Asian Films TV was incorporated in 2000 to provide feed for newspapers and periodicals.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> ''[[The Caravan]]'' though notes that most of its foot-soldiers were low-cost recruits, who had little to do with journalism.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In 2000, the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government launched [[DD Kashir]], a [[Kashmir]]-based regional channel, and ANI was allowed to produce its programs.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> By the end of 2005, ANI's business-model was faring impressively on a consistent basis and it shifted its office out of Gole Market, to a new five-storey building in [[Rama Krishna Puram|R. K. Puram]].<ref name="donthi-2019" /> ANI continued to be trusted by the upcoming [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] governments, to the extent that the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] chose Smita to be a part of the two-member contingent of Indian journalists at both of the joint press conferences between the incumbent prime ministers of India and the United States.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In the later 2000s, the increasing charges for ANI feed and low quality of its journalism, coupled with the introduction of [[Outside broadcasting|broadcast vans]], led to several national and regional channels unsubscribing ANI.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> The launch of UNI TV in 2010 by [[Yashwant Deshmukh]] gave stiff competition as well.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> However, Ishaan Prakash, Smita's son who joined the company in 2011, procured multiple units of LiveU, expanded ANI's overseas bureaus and signed contracts with multiple state governments and union ministries.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> A monopoly was again re-created and most of its competitors eventually shut down.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> By late 2011, ANI accounted for about 99% of the Reuters feed from India, and in FY 2017–18, it was paid {{currency|2.54|INR}} [[crore]] for the services.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> Archive videos were sold at rates as high as {{INR|1000}} per second; in FY 2017–18, the firm reported revenues of {{INR|68.23}} crore and a net profit of {{INR|9.91}} crore.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" />
Under new management, ANI has been accused of practising an aggressive model of journalism focused on maximum revenue output where journalists were considered dispensable.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> Multiple employees have accused ANI of not having any [[human resource management]] system and ill-treatment of ex-employees.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
== Litigation ==
=== Press Trust of India ===
In July 2024, ANI sued [[Press Trust of India]] over copyright infringement alleging that it had plagiarised ANI's video clips of Spicejet aircraft's AC breakdown, and sought 2 crore rupees in damages.<ref name="PTI">{{Cite news |date=5 July 2024 |title='Stealing my feeds': ANI sues PTI for plagiarism, copyright breach, seeks Rs 2 crore |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/07/05/stealing-my-feeds-ani-sues-pti-for-plagiarism-copyright-breach-seeks-rs-2-crore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909143313/https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/07/05/stealing-my-feeds-ani-sues-pti-for-plagiarism-copyright-breach-seeks-rs-2-crore |archive-date=9 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Newslaundry]]}}</ref> The court date was set at 9 August.<ref name="PTI" />
On 9 August, the legal counsel stated that a written statement was filed; however, the statement was under objections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2024 |title=ORDER 09.08.2024 |url=https://dhcappl.nic.in/dhcorderportal/GetOrder.do?ID=592/2024/337991751723439031971_40043_5432024.pdf |website=dhcappl.nic.in}}</ref>
On 20 September, the Delhi High Court wrote that the pleadings for one defendant were complete, but not for the other.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=ORDER 20.09.2024 |url=https://dhcappl.nic.in/dhcorderportal/GetOrder.do?ID=603/2024/100023041726828447731_29812_5432024.pdf |website=dhcappl.nic.in}}</ref>
Another hearing has been set for 11 December.<ref name=":2" />
=== Netflix ===
In September 2024, ANI sued [[Netflix]] over the web series ''[[IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack]]'' for copyright infringement, alleging that the latter had used video clips in its Kandahar Hijack series without ANI's permission.<ref name="Netflix">{{Cite news |date=9 September 2024 |title='Brandname being tarnished': ANI sues Netflix for using its content in 'Kandahar Hijack' series |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/brandname-being-tarnished-ani-sues-netflix-for-using-its-content-in-kandahar-hijack-series/articleshow/113190274.cms |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
=== Wikimedia Foundation ===
In July 2024, ANI [[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation|filed a lawsuit]] against [[Wikimedia Foundation]] in the [[Delhi High Court]] — claiming to have been defamed in its article on Wikipedia — and sought {{INRConvert|2|c|year=2024}} in damages.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Khadija |title=Why has ANI slapped a defamation case against Wikipedia? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=10 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714172651/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI files defamation suit against Wikipedia, seeks Rs 2 cr in damages |url=https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |website=[[The Siasat Daily]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090900/https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News agency ANI files Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Wikipedia in Delhi High Court |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090858/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> At the time of the suit's filing, the Wikipedia article about ANI said the news agency had, "been accused of having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent [[Government of India|central government]], distributing materials from a vast network of [[Fake news in India|fake news]] websites, and misreporting events on multiple occasions". The filing accused Wikipedia of publishing, "false and defamatory content with the malicious intent of tarnishing the news agency's reputation, and aimed to discredit its goodwill".<ref name="Wikipedia-caution" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI Sues Wikipedia for Defamation, Demands INR 2 Crore |url=https://www.medianama.com/2024/07/223-ani-sues-wikipedia-defamation-demands-rs-2-crore/ |website=[[MediaNama]] |date=2024-07-10 |last1=Parasnis |first1=Sharveya |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Content determined by volunteer editors, says Wikipedia parent |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wikipedia-parent-responds-ani-defamation-suit-says-content-by-volunteer-editors/article68395472.ece |date=2024-07-12 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
On 5 September, the Court threatened to hold Wikimedia guilty of [[Contempt of court in India|contempt]] for failing to disclose information about the editors who had made changes to the article and warned that Wikipedia might be blocked in India upon further non-compliance. The judge on the case stated, "If you don't like India, please don't work in India ... We will ask government to block your site".<ref>{{cite news |title=Will ask government to block Wikipedia: Delhi High Court issues contempt order in ANI case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905101222/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kakkar |first=Shruti |date=5 September 2024 |title=Delhi HC pulls up Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905190702/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |archive-date=5 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> In response, Wikimedia emphasised that the information in the article was supported by multiple reliable secondary sources.<ref name="Wikipedia-caution">{{cite news |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914011253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |archive-date=14 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=15 September 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Justice [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]] said "I think nothing can be worse for a news agency than to be called a puppet of an intelligence agency, stooge of the government. If that is true, the credibility goes."<ref name="Bar and Bench 21 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Bhavini |title=Nothing worse than calling news agency a government stooge: Delhi High Court in ANI vs Wikipedia |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/nothing-worse-than-calling-news-agency-govt-stooge-delhi-high-court-ani-wikipedia |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Bar and Bench |date=21 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
On 21 October, the Wikimedia Foundation suspended access to the article for ''[[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation]]'' due to an order from the court,<ref>{{cite news |title=Wikipedia suspends page on the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by ANI against Wikimedia Foundation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wikipedia-suspends-access-to-ani-defamation-case-page-following-delhi-hc-order/article68778075.ece |date=2024-10-21 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> which is likely the first time an English Wikipedia page had been taken down after a court order.<ref name="BBC 30 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Wikipedia v ANI: Why the online encyclopaedia has landed in legal trouble in India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrdydkypv7o|date=30 October 2024 |access-date=30 October 2024 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>
On 28 October, the Wikimedia Foundation agreed to the court's request to disclose the identifying information of online users involved in editing the ANI page.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Wikipedia embroiled in legal battle in India |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/wikipedia-embroiled-in-legal-battle-in-india/7849693.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>
== Content ==
=== Propaganda ===
Long-form reports by ''[[The Caravan]]'' and ''[[The Ken]]'', along with reports by other media watchdogs, have described the agency as serving as a "propaganda tool" of the incumbent BJP government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Ayush |date=18 September 2019 |title=Meet ANI's 'European experts' on Kashmir. They're experts all right — just not on Kashmir |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/09/18/ani-news-european-experts-kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111140324/https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/09/18/ani-news-european-experts-kashmir |archive-date=11 January 2020 |access-date=4 January 2019 |website=[[Newslaundry]]}}</ref>
Reporting in ''The Caravan'' has stated that, for decades under Congress rule, ANI effectively served as the external publicity division of Ministry of External Affairs, showing the Army in a positive light and suppressing news about any internal discontent; the private nature of the organisation and the repute of its founder gave an air of non-partisan legitimacy to their videos.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> During the peak spans of militancy in the [[Kashmir conflict]], ANI was the near-sole purveyor of video-footage, especially with Rao having been recruited as the media advisor to the state.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> ANI grew even closer to the government after [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] was elected to power in 2014; effects have ranged from sympathetic covering of the political campaigns by BJP to reporters being highly confrontational when dealing with politicians from opposition parties.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /><ref name="dhillon-2019">{{Cite news |last=Dhillon |first=Amrit |date=5 January 2019 |title=Indian PM lampooned for 'manufactured' interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/05/indian-pm-narendra-modi-lampooned-for-manufactured-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711014004/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/05/indian-pm-narendra-modi-lampooned-for-manufactured-interview |archive-date=11 July 2024 |access-date=29 December 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ANI journalists are generally the only members of non-state media organisations to accompany Modi on foreign trips.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rajpurohit |first=Shivnarayan |date=2024-04-08 |title=ANI’s news business: ‘PR’ contracts with CMs, podcasts and a quest for power |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/04/08/anis-news-business-pr-contracts-with-cms-podcasts-and-a-quest-for-power |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}</ref> According to an investigation by ''Newslaundry'', ANI was involved in contract negotiations with the chief ministers of several states for a "PR package" to provide coverage by ANI in exchange for payment.<ref name=":1" />
=== Srivastava Group ===
In 2020, an investigation by EU DisinfoLab concluded that ANI was publishing pro-[[Narendra Modi|Modi]] government [[disinformation]] with opinion pieces and news content, including opinion pieces falsely attributed to European politicians, and that they were sourcing material from a vast network of [[Fake news in India|fake news websites]] run by the "Srivastava Group". The report also concluded that they had spread anti-Pakistan and sometimes anti-China disinformation with the primary aim of this fake news coverage being to "discredit Pakistan" in international forums.<ref name="hussain-2020" /><ref name="saeed-2020">{{cite news |last1=Saeed |first1=Saim |last2=Kayali |first2=Laura |date=9 December 2020 |title=New pro-India EU website enrolling MEPs campaigns against Pakistan |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106123319/https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/ |archive-date=6 January 2021 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref name="rej">{{cite web |title=EU Non-Profit Unearths Massive Indian Disinformation Campaign |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/eu-non-profit-unearths-massive-indian-disinformation-campaign/ |website=[[The Diplomat]] |date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112173403/https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/eu-non-profit-unearths-massive-indian-disinformation-campaign/ |archive-date=12 November 2022 |url-status=live |last1=Rej |first1=Abhijnan |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Chronicles: deep dive into a 15-year operation targeting the EU and UN to serve Indian interests |url=https://www.disinfo.eu/publications/indian-chronicles-deep-dive-into-a-15-year-operation-targeting-the-eu-and-un-to-serve-indian-interests/ |website=[[EU DisinfoLab]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124180136/https://www.disinfo.eu/publications/indian-chronicles-deep-dive-into-a-15-year-operation-targeting-the-eu-and-un-to-serve-indian-interests/ |archive-date=24 January 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Alaphilippe |first1=Gary Machado Alexandre |last2=Adamczyk |first2=Roman |last3=Grégoire |first3=Antoine |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI, Srivastava Group named in massive EU disinformation campaign to promote Modi government's interests |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/media/ani-srivastava-group-named-in-eu-disinformation-campaign-to-promote-modi-govts-interests |website=[[The Caravan]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210170759/https://caravanmagazine.in/media/ani-srivastava-group-named-in-eu-disinformation-campaign-to-promote-modi-govts-interests |archive-date=10 December 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Une vaste campagne de désinformation et d'influence indienne en Europe dévoilée |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2020/12/09/une-vaste-campagne-de-desinformation-et-d-influence-indienne-en-europe-devoilee_6062761_4355770.html |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211084839/https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2020/12/09/une-vaste-campagne-de-desinformation-et-d-influence-indienne-en-europe-devoilee_6062761_4355770.html |archive-date=11 December 2020 |url-status=live |work=[[Le Monde]] |last1=Sénécat |first1=Adrien |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=fr}}</ref> The report noted that mainstream Indian news media regularly relies on content provided by ANI, and that ANI had on several occasions provided legitimacy and coverage to the entire "influence operation" run by the fake news network, which relied "more on ANI than on any other distribution channel" [to give it] "both credibility and a wide reach to its content".<ref name="hussain-2020" /> ANI is also believed to have gained access to India's intelligence establishment in recent years; in foreign affairs many of its videos depicted protests by fringe lobby groups and activists as if they were large-scale and mainstream.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
A later investigation by EU DisinfoLab in 2023 found that ANI had consistently quoted think tanks and experts associated with the Srivastava Group that did not appear to actually exist.<ref name=":0" />
=== Bias and misinformation ===
According to ''Newslaundry'', ANI consistently reveals the religion of Muslims accused of crimes, while generally omitting this information if the accused is Hindu.<ref name=":1" />
[[Fact checkers]] certified by the [[Poynter Institute]]'s [[International Fact-Checking Network]] have accused ANI of misreporting events.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="chaudhuri-2018">{{Cite web |last=Chaudhuri |first=Pooja |date=21 October 2018 |title=ANI – A tale of inadvertent errors and oversights |url=https://www.altnews.in/ani-a-tale-of-inadvertent-errors-and-oversights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204021640/https://www.altnews.in/ani-a-tale-of-inadvertent-errors-and-oversights/ |archive-date=4 December 2022 |access-date=28 December 2019 |website=[[Alt News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''The Caravan'' found several pieces of video footage from ANI, wherein logos of random television channels from Pakistan, along with [[Urdu]] tickers, were superimposed on news showcasing India in a positive light; their video editors have admitted to forging clips.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In July 2021, ANI falsely reported that Chinese weightlifter [[Hou Zhihui]], who won the gold medal in the [[Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's 49 kg|women's 49 kg weightlifting]] at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo, would be tested by the [[International Testing Agency]] (ITA) for doping, according to ANI's unnamed source. The article also stated that Indian weightlifter [[Mirabai Chanu]], who won silver medal in the same event, would be upgraded to a gold medal if the tests were positive. The [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA) and ITA debunked the reports, saying they knew nothing of such tests being carried out and that any developments would be transparently reported on their website.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian media fake news about Olympic weightlifting doping takes off around Asia - Insidethegames.biz |url=https://theverified.date/indian-media-fake-news-about-olympic-weightlifting-doping-takes-off-around-asia-insidethegames-biz/ |website=[[theverified.date]] |date=2021-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803023839/https://theverified.date/indian-media-fake-news-about-olympic-weightlifting-doping-takes-off-around-asia-insidethegames-biz/ |archive-date=2021-08-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boomlive.in/explainers/tokyo-olympics-2020-mirabai-chanu-zhihui-hou-doping-ani-india-today-boria-majumdar-14122 |title=Unverified Doping Charge Against Mirabai Chanu's Opponent Goes Viral |newspaper=Boom |first=Dilip |last=Unnikrishnan |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=9 September 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803023851/https://www.boomlive.in/explainers/tokyo-olympics-2020-mirabai-chanu-zhihui-hou-doping-ani-india-today-boria-majumdar-14122 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2023, ANI falsely reported a photo of a padlocked grave in Hyderabad, India, as being from Pakistan, claiming it was locked to prevent [[necrophilia]]. Fact-checking revealed that the grave was actually secured to prevent unauthorised burials and to protect it from being trampled.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo of Hyderabad grave falsely reported as being from Pakistan |url=https://www.siasat.com/photo-of-hyderabad-grave-falsely-reported-as-being-from-pakistan-2579518/ |website=[[The Siasat Daily]] |date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909132649/https://www.siasat.com/photo-of-hyderabad-grave-falsely-reported-as-being-from-pakistan-2579518/ |archive-date=9 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In July 2023, ANI falsely blamed Muslims for the sexual assault and rape of two Kuki women during the [[2023 Manipur violence]]. ANI later apologised for the mistake, blaming erroneous reading of tweets posted by the Manipur police.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kuki viral video: ANI apologises for 'inadvertently' claiming Muslim man was arrested |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/07/21/kuki-viral-video-ani-apologises-for-inadvertently-claiming-muslim-man-was-arrested |date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722142452/https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/07/21/kuki-viral-video-ani-apologises-for-inadvertently-claiming-muslim-man-was-arrested |archive-date=22 July 2023 |url-status=live |work=[[Newslaundry]] |access-date=22 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
In August 2024, ANI disseminated [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)#Disinformation by Indian media|misinformation regarding attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh]]. The controversy erupted after ANI shared a video on social media, which falsely depicted a Hindu father pleading for justice for his missing son. The man in the video was later identified as a Muslim, named Mohammad Suny Hawlader, who was actually seeking justice for his missing son.<ref name="india-2024">{{cite web |title=ANI Faces Criticism for Sharing Fake Video About Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh |url=https://clarionindia.net/ani-faces-criticism-for-sharing-fake-news-about-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh/ |website=[[Clarion India]] |date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905142147/https://clarionindia.net/ani-faces-criticism-for-sharing-fake-news-about-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh/ |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI faces backlash for sharing fake news on attack on Hindus in Bangladesh |url=https://english.varthabharati.in/india/ani-faces-backlash-for-sharing-fake-news-on-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh |website=[[Varthabharathi]] |date=2024-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815143752/https://english.varthabharati.in/india/ani-faces-backlash-for-sharing-fake-news-on-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh |archive-date=2024-08-15 |url-status=live |last1=Bharathi |first1=Vartha |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The video, initially shared by ANI, was quickly picked up by right-wing accounts and other media outlets that rely on ANI's feed, further spreading the false narrative. Despite ANI deleting the video after being called out for the misleading content, the misinformation continued to circulate on various social media platforms, including Facebook, [[Instagram]], and [[WhatsApp]], perpetuating the false narrative.<ref name="india-2024" />
== See also ==
* [[United News of India]], multilingual news agency in India
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{official website|https://aninews.in}}
* [https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/09/18/explained-whats-ani-vs-wikipedia-legal-battle-all-about Explained: What's ANI vs Wikipedia legal battle all about?] 2024 ''[[Newslaundry]]'' video
{{News agencies}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Companies based in New Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1971]]
[[Category:Multilingual news services]]
[[Category:News agencies based in India]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Short description|Indian news agency}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Asian News International
| logo = Ani-logo-black.png
| type = [[News agency]]
| industry = Media, news media
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1971|12|9}}<ref>{{cite web |title=ANI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED – Company, directors and contact details |url=https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/ANI-MEDIA-PRIVATE-LIMITED/U74899DL1971PTC005895 |website=zaubacorp.com |access-date=22 June 2018 |language=en |archive-date=9 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109083846/https://www.zaubacorp.com/company/ANI-MEDIA-PRIVATE-LIMITED/U74899DL1971PTC005895 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| founder = Prem Prakash
| hq_location_city = New Delhi
| area_served = India, South Asia
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Sanjiv Prakash<br />(CEO)|Prem Prakash<br />(Chairman)}}
| owner = ANI Media Private Limited<ref>{{cite web |title=Terms & Conditions |url=https://www.aninews.in/term-condition/ |website=Asian News International |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118210258/https://www.aninews.in/term-condition/ |archive-date=18 January 2021 |url-status=live |language=en |access-date=22 June 2018}}</ref>
| parent =
| website = {{URL|aninews.in}}
}}
'''Asian News International''' ('''ANI''') is an Indian [[news agency]] that offers syndicated multimedia news feeds to news bureaus in India.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MHujEBLJcvIC |title=News Agencies from Pigeon to Internet |last1=Shrivastava |first1=K. M. |date=2007 |publisher=Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd |isbn=978-1-932705-67-6 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711013945/https://books.google.com/books?id=MHujEBLJcvIC |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Paterson |first1=Chris A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sVffFCoGSuIC |title=International News in the 21st Century |last2=Sreberny |first2=Annabelle |date=2004 |publisher=[[Georgetown University Press]] |isbn=978-1-86020-596-5 |page=122 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Anuradha |date=February 5, 2022 |title=Footaging It Fleetly |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/society/footaging-it-fleetly-news-288837 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805171255/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/footaging-it-fleetly/288837 |archive-date=2020-08-05 |access-date=29 December 2019 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref> The company was established by Prem Prakash in 1971 and, under the name TVNF, it soon became the first agency in India to [[syndicate]] video news.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YsJlAgAAQBAJ |title=Web Journalism-The Craft & Technology |last1=Saxena |first1=Sunil |publisher=Tata McGraw-HillEducation |isbn=978-0-07-068083-8 |page=16 |language=en |access-date=17 May 2018 |archive-date=11 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711013946/https://books.google.com/books?id=YsJlAgAAQBAJ |url-status=live}}</ref> Drawing upon connections within the Indian government, ANI expanded greatly during the early 2000s. After a period of downturn, the company regained a [[Monopoly|monopolistic]] position; {{as of|2019|lc=y|post=,}} it is India's largest television news agency,<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> and {{as of|2024|lc=y|post=,}} the largest newswire service.<ref name="BBC 30 October 2024" />
Investigations by ''[[The Caravan]]'' and ''[[The Ken]]'' into the company have alleged that the ANI has been closely associated with the [[government of India]] for decades, including under [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] rule, but especially after the election of the [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] in 2014, with its reporting alleged to favour and serve as a "propaganda tool" for the government's agenda.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> ANI has been accused of amplifying a vast network of [[Fake news in India#Fake news against Pakistan|fake news websites]] spreading pro-government, [[Anti-Pakistan sentiment|anti-Pakistan]], and [[anti-China sentiment|anti-China]] propaganda,<ref name="hussain-2020">{{cite news |last1=Hussain |first1=Abid |last2=Menon |first2=Shruti |date=10 December 2020 |title=The dead professor and the vast pro-India disinformation campaign |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112173402/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55232432 |archive-date=12 November 2022 |access-date=10 December 2020 |work=[[BBC News]] |quote=The network was designed primarily to "discredit Pakistan internationally" and influence decision-making at the [[UN Human Rights Council]] (UNHRC) and European Parliament, EU DisinfoLab said.}}</ref><ref name="saeed-2020" /><ref name="rej" /> as well as quoting apparently fabricated sources associated with these websites.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |date=23 February 2023 |title=Modi Govt's Go-To News Agency ANI 'Quotes Geopolitical Experts, Think Tanks That Don't Exist': Report |url=https://thewire.in/media/ani-eu-disinfolab-bad-sources |access-date=19 September 2024 |website=[[The Wire (India)]] |language=en}}</ref>
== History ==
=== Establishment and early years (1971–2000) ===
Prem Prakash started his career in the field of photography, working for [[Visnews]] (and [[Reuters]]) as a [[photojournalist]], where he went on to cover some of the most significant historical events in post-independence India.<ref name="donthi-2019">{{Cite web |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/ani-reports-government-version-truth |title=The Image Makers : How ANI Reports The Government's Version Of Truth |last=Donthi |first=Praveen |date=1 March 2019 |website=[[The Caravan]] |language=en |url-access=subscription |access-date=7 December 2019 |archive-date=8 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208225504/https://caravanmagazine.in/reportage/ani-reports-government-version-truth |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="ahluwalia-2018">{{Cite web |last1=Ahluwalia |first1=Harveen |last2=Srivilasan |first2=Pranav |date=21 October 2018 |title=How ANI quietly built a monopoly |url=https://the-ken.com/story/ani-video-news-monopoly/ |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116213511/https://the-ken.com/story/ani-video-news-monopoly/ |archive-date=16 January 2023 |access-date=28 December 2019 |website=[[The Ken]] |language=en-US}}</ref> A significant figure in the domain of news and documentary film-making by the 1970s, he commanded considerable respect among foreign journalists and film-makers, and received the [[Order of the British Empire#Current classes|MBE]].<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> In 1971, Prem established ANI (initially TVNF, India's first television news feature agency), which gained influence within the [[Indian National Congress|Congress]] Government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> TVNF played a key role in fulfilling [[Indira Gandhi]]'s wishes of showcasing a positive image of India. It produced numerous films for [[Doordarshan]] and went on to gain a monopoly in the sector.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
Smita Prakash, an alumna of the [[Indian Institute of Mass Communication]], joined ANI in 1986 as an intern and later became a full-time employee.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> The daughter of Inna Ramamohan Rao, former director of the [[Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (India)|Ministry of Information and Broadcasting]] married Prem's son Sanjiv in 1988, which furthered ANI's access within the government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> In 1993, [[Reuters]] purchased a stake in ANI, and it was allowed to exert a complete monopoly over their India feed.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
=== Expansion (2000–present) ===
By 2000, India saw a boom of private [[24/7 service|24/7]] news channels; however, unsustainable revenue models meant that they lacked the capacity to hire video-reporters across the country.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> This allowed a massive expansion of ANI's domestic video-production capacities at the behest of Sanjiv, who rose through the ranks. Smita also rose through the ranks with him.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> Asian Films TV was incorporated in 2000 to provide feed for newspapers and periodicals.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> ''[[The Caravan]]'' though notes that most of its foot-soldiers were low-cost recruits, who had little to do with journalism.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In 2000, the [[National Democratic Alliance|NDA]] government launched [[DD Kashir]], a [[Kashmir]]-based regional channel, and ANI was allowed to produce its programs.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> By the end of 2005, ANI's business-model was faring impressively on a consistent basis and it shifted its office out of Gole Market, to a new five-storey building in [[Rama Krishna Puram|R. K. Puram]].<ref name="donthi-2019" /> ANI continued to be trusted by the upcoming [[United Progressive Alliance|UPA]] governments, to the extent that the [[Ministry of External Affairs (India)|Ministry of External Affairs]] chose Smita to be a part of the two-member contingent of Indian journalists at both of the joint press conferences between the incumbent prime ministers of India and the United States.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In the later 2000s, the increasing charges for ANI feed and low quality of its journalism, coupled with the introduction of [[Outside broadcasting|broadcast vans]], led to several national and regional channels unsubscribing ANI.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> The launch of UNI TV in 2010 by [[Yashwant Deshmukh]] gave stiff competition as well.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> However, Ishaan Prakash, Smita's son who joined the company in 2011, procured multiple units of LiveU, expanded ANI's overseas bureaus and signed contracts with multiple state governments and union ministries.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> A monopoly was again re-created and most of its competitors eventually shut down.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> By late 2011, ANI accounted for about 99% of the Reuters feed from India, and in FY 2017–18, it was paid {{currency|2.54|INR}} [[crore]] for the services.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> Archive videos were sold at rates as high as {{INR|1000}} per second; in FY 2017–18, the firm reported revenues of {{INR|68.23}} crore and a net profit of {{INR|9.91}} crore.<ref name="ahluwalia-2018" />
Under new management, ANI has been accused of practising an aggressive model of journalism focused on maximum revenue output where journalists were considered dispensable.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /> Multiple employees have accused ANI of not having any [[human resource management]] system and ill-treatment of ex-employees.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
== Litigation ==
=== Press Trust of India ===
In July 2024, ANI sued [[Press Trust of India]] over copyright infringement alleging that it had plagiarised ANI's video clips of Spicejet aircraft's AC breakdown, and sought 2 crore rupees in damages.<ref name="PTI">{{Cite news |date=5 July 2024 |title='Stealing my feeds': ANI sues PTI for plagiarism, copyright breach, seeks Rs 2 crore |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/07/05/stealing-my-feeds-ani-sues-pti-for-plagiarism-copyright-breach-seeks-rs-2-crore |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909143313/https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/07/05/stealing-my-feeds-ani-sues-pti-for-plagiarism-copyright-breach-seeks-rs-2-crore |archive-date=9 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Newslaundry]]}}</ref> The court date was set at 9 August.<ref name="PTI" />
On 9 August, the legal counsel stated that a written statement was filed; however, the statement was under objections.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 August 2024 |title=ORDER 09.08.2024 |url=https://dhcappl.nic.in/dhcorderportal/GetOrder.do?ID=592/2024/337991751723439031971_40043_5432024.pdf |website=dhcappl.nic.in}}</ref>
On 20 September, the Delhi High Court wrote that the pleadings for one defendant were complete, but not for the other.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=20 September 2024 |title=ORDER 20.09.2024 |url=https://dhcappl.nic.in/dhcorderportal/GetOrder.do?ID=603/2024/100023041726828447731_29812_5432024.pdf |website=dhcappl.nic.in}}</ref>
Another hearing has been set for 11 December.<ref name=":2" />
=== Netflix ===
In September 2024, ANI sued [[Netflix]] over the web series ''[[IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack]]'' for copyright infringement, alleging that the latter had used video clips in its Kandahar Hijack series without ANI's permission.<ref name="Netflix">{{Cite news |date=9 September 2024 |title='Brandname being tarnished': ANI sues Netflix for using its content in 'Kandahar Hijack' series |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/brandname-being-tarnished-ani-sues-netflix-for-using-its-content-in-kandahar-hijack-series/articleshow/113190274.cms |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
=== Wikimedia Foundation ===
In July 2024, ANI [[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation|filed a lawsuit]] against [[Wikimedia Foundation]] in the [[Delhi High Court]] — claiming to have been defamed in its article on Wikipedia — and sought {{INRConvert|2|c|year=2024}} in damages.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Khadija |title=Why has ANI slapped a defamation case against Wikipedia? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=10 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714172651/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI files defamation suit against Wikipedia, seeks Rs 2 cr in damages |url=https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |website=[[The Siasat Daily]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090900/https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News agency ANI files Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Wikipedia in Delhi High Court |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090858/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> At the time of the suit's filing, the Wikipedia article about ANI said the news agency had, "been accused of having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent [[Government of India|central government]], distributing materials from a vast network of [[Fake news in India|fake news]] websites, and misreporting events on multiple occasions". The filing accused Wikipedia of publishing, "false and defamatory content with the malicious intent of tarnishing the news agency's reputation, and aimed to discredit its goodwill".<ref name="Wikipedia-caution" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI Sues Wikipedia for Defamation, Demands INR 2 Crore |url=https://www.medianama.com/2024/07/223-ani-sues-wikipedia-defamation-demands-rs-2-crore/ |website=[[MediaNama]] |date=2024-07-10 |last1=Parasnis |first1=Sharveya |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Content determined by volunteer editors, says Wikipedia parent |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wikipedia-parent-responds-ani-defamation-suit-says-content-by-volunteer-editors/article68395472.ece |date=2024-07-12 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
On 5 September, the Court threatened to hold Wikimedia guilty of [[Contempt of court in India|contempt]] for failing to disclose information about the editors who had made changes to the article and warned that Wikipedia might be blocked in India upon further non-compliance. The judge on the case stated, "If you don't like India, please don't work in India ... We will ask government [<nowiki/>[[sic]]] to block your site".<ref>{{cite news |title=Will ask government to block Wikipedia: Delhi High Court issues contempt order in ANI case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905101222/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kakkar |first=Shruti |date=5 September 2024 |title=Delhi HC pulls up Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905190702/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |archive-date=5 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> In response, Wikimedia emphasised that the information in the article was supported by multiple reliable secondary sources.<ref name="Wikipedia-caution">{{cite news |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914011253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |archive-date=14 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=15 September 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Justice [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]] said "I think nothing can be worse for a news agency than to be called a puppet of an intelligence agency, stooge of the government. If that is true, the credibility goes."<ref name="Bar and Bench 21 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Bhavini |title=Nothing worse than calling news agency a government stooge: Delhi High Court in ANI vs Wikipedia |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/nothing-worse-than-calling-news-agency-govt-stooge-delhi-high-court-ani-wikipedia |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Bar and Bench |date=21 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
On 21 October, the Wikimedia Foundation suspended access to the article for ''[[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation]]'' due to an order from the court,<ref>{{cite news |title=Wikipedia suspends page on the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by ANI against Wikimedia Foundation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wikipedia-suspends-access-to-ani-defamation-case-page-following-delhi-hc-order/article68778075.ece |date=2024-10-21 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> which is likely the first time an English Wikipedia page had been taken down after a court order.<ref name="BBC 30 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Wikipedia v ANI: Why the online encyclopaedia has landed in legal trouble in India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrdydkypv7o|date=30 October 2024 |access-date=30 October 2024 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>
On 28 October, the Wikimedia Foundation agreed to the court's request to disclose the identifying information of online users involved in editing the ANI page.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-03 |title=Wikipedia embroiled in legal battle in India |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/wikipedia-embroiled-in-legal-battle-in-india/7849693.html |access-date=2024-11-10 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>
== Content ==
=== Propaganda ===
Long-form reports by ''[[The Caravan]]'' and ''[[The Ken]]'', along with reports by other media watchdogs, have described the agency as serving as a "propaganda tool" of the incumbent BJP government.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tiwari |first=Ayush |date=18 September 2019 |title=Meet ANI's 'European experts' on Kashmir. They're experts all right — just not on Kashmir |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/09/18/ani-news-european-experts-kashmir |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111140324/https://www.newslaundry.com/2019/09/18/ani-news-european-experts-kashmir |archive-date=11 January 2020 |access-date=4 January 2019 |website=[[Newslaundry]]}}</ref>
Reporting in ''The Caravan'' has stated that, for decades under Congress rule, ANI effectively served as the external publicity division of Ministry of External Affairs, showing the Army in a positive light and suppressing news about any internal discontent; the private nature of the organisation and the repute of its founder gave an air of non-partisan legitimacy to their videos.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> During the peak spans of militancy in the [[Kashmir conflict]], ANI was the near-sole purveyor of video-footage, especially with Rao having been recruited as the media advisor to the state.<ref name="donthi-2019" /> ANI grew even closer to the government after [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] was elected to power in 2014; effects have ranged from sympathetic covering of the political campaigns by BJP to reporters being highly confrontational when dealing with politicians from opposition parties.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="ahluwalia-2018" /><ref name="dhillon-2019">{{Cite news |last=Dhillon |first=Amrit |date=5 January 2019 |title=Indian PM lampooned for 'manufactured' interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/05/indian-pm-narendra-modi-lampooned-for-manufactured-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711014004/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/05/indian-pm-narendra-modi-lampooned-for-manufactured-interview |archive-date=11 July 2024 |access-date=29 December 2019 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ANI journalists are generally the only members of non-state media organisations to accompany Modi on foreign trips.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Rajpurohit |first=Shivnarayan |date=2024-04-08 |title=ANI’s news business: ‘PR’ contracts with CMs, podcasts and a quest for power |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/04/08/anis-news-business-pr-contracts-with-cms-podcasts-and-a-quest-for-power |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Newslaundry |language=en}}</ref> According to an investigation by ''Newslaundry'', ANI was involved in contract negotiations with the chief ministers of several states for a "PR package" to provide coverage by ANI in exchange for payment.<ref name=":1" />
=== Srivastava Group ===
In 2020, an investigation by EU DisinfoLab concluded that ANI was publishing pro-[[Narendra Modi|Modi]] government [[disinformation]] with opinion pieces and news content, including opinion pieces falsely attributed to European politicians, and that they were sourcing material from a vast network of [[Fake news in India|fake news websites]] run by the "Srivastava Group". The report also concluded that they had spread anti-Pakistan and sometimes anti-China disinformation with the primary aim of this fake news coverage being to "discredit Pakistan" in international forums.<ref name="hussain-2020" /><ref name="saeed-2020">{{cite news |last1=Saeed |first1=Saim |last2=Kayali |first2=Laura |date=9 December 2020 |title=New pro-India EU website enrolling MEPs campaigns against Pakistan |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210106123319/https://www.politico.eu/article/india-pakistan-website-european-parliament-campaign-eu-chronicle-china/ |archive-date=6 January 2021 |access-date=9 December 2020 |work=[[Politico]]}}</ref><ref name="rej">{{cite web |title=EU Non-Profit Unearths Massive Indian Disinformation Campaign |url=https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/eu-non-profit-unearths-massive-indian-disinformation-campaign/ |website=[[The Diplomat]] |date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112173403/https://thediplomat.com/2020/12/eu-non-profit-unearths-massive-indian-disinformation-campaign/ |archive-date=12 November 2022 |url-status=live |last1=Rej |first1=Abhijnan |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Chronicles: deep dive into a 15-year operation targeting the EU and UN to serve Indian interests |url=https://www.disinfo.eu/publications/indian-chronicles-deep-dive-into-a-15-year-operation-targeting-the-eu-and-un-to-serve-indian-interests/ |website=[[EU DisinfoLab]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124180136/https://www.disinfo.eu/publications/indian-chronicles-deep-dive-into-a-15-year-operation-targeting-the-eu-and-un-to-serve-indian-interests/ |archive-date=24 January 2023 |url-status=live |last1=Alaphilippe |first1=Gary Machado Alexandre |last2=Adamczyk |first2=Roman |last3=Grégoire |first3=Antoine |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI, Srivastava Group named in massive EU disinformation campaign to promote Modi government's interests |url=https://caravanmagazine.in/media/ani-srivastava-group-named-in-eu-disinformation-campaign-to-promote-modi-govts-interests |website=[[The Caravan]] |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210170759/https://caravanmagazine.in/media/ani-srivastava-group-named-in-eu-disinformation-campaign-to-promote-modi-govts-interests |archive-date=10 December 2020 |url-status=live |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Une vaste campagne de désinformation et d'influence indienne en Europe dévoilée |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2020/12/09/une-vaste-campagne-de-desinformation-et-d-influence-indienne-en-europe-devoilee_6062761_4355770.html |date=9 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211084839/https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2020/12/09/une-vaste-campagne-de-desinformation-et-d-influence-indienne-en-europe-devoilee_6062761_4355770.html |archive-date=11 December 2020 |url-status=live |work=[[Le Monde]] |last1=Sénécat |first1=Adrien |access-date=11 December 2020 |language=fr}}</ref> The report noted that mainstream Indian news media regularly relies on content provided by ANI, and that ANI had on several occasions provided legitimacy and coverage to the entire "influence operation" run by the fake news network, which relied "more on ANI than on any other distribution channel" [to give it] "both credibility and a wide reach to its content".<ref name="hussain-2020" /> ANI is also believed to have gained access to India's intelligence establishment in recent years; in foreign affairs many of its videos depicted protests by fringe lobby groups and activists as if they were large-scale and mainstream.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
A later investigation by EU DisinfoLab in 2023 found that ANI had consistently quoted think tanks and experts associated with the Srivastava Group that did not appear to actually exist.<ref name=":0" />
=== Bias and misinformation ===
According to ''Newslaundry'', ANI consistently reveals the religion of Muslims accused of crimes, while generally omitting this information if the accused is Hindu.<ref name=":1" />
[[Fact checkers]] certified by the [[Poynter Institute]]'s [[International Fact-Checking Network]] have accused ANI of misreporting events.<ref name="donthi-2019" /><ref name="chaudhuri-2018">{{Cite web |last=Chaudhuri |first=Pooja |date=21 October 2018 |title=ANI – A tale of inadvertent errors and oversights |url=https://www.altnews.in/ani-a-tale-of-inadvertent-errors-and-oversights/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204021640/https://www.altnews.in/ani-a-tale-of-inadvertent-errors-and-oversights/ |archive-date=4 December 2022 |access-date=28 December 2019 |website=[[Alt News]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> ''The Caravan'' found several pieces of video footage from ANI, wherein logos of random television channels from Pakistan, along with [[Urdu]] tickers, were superimposed on news showcasing India in a positive light; their video editors have admitted to forging clips.<ref name="donthi-2019" />
In July 2021, ANI falsely reported that Chinese weightlifter [[Hou Zhihui]], who won the gold medal in the [[Weightlifting at the 2020 Summer Olympics – Women's 49 kg|women's 49 kg weightlifting]] at the [[2020 Summer Olympics]] in Tokyo, would be tested by the [[International Testing Agency]] (ITA) for doping, according to ANI's unnamed source. The article also stated that Indian weightlifter [[Mirabai Chanu]], who won silver medal in the same event, would be upgraded to a gold medal if the tests were positive. The [[World Anti-Doping Agency]] (WADA) and ITA debunked the reports, saying they knew nothing of such tests being carried out and that any developments would be transparently reported on their website.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian media fake news about Olympic weightlifting doping takes off around Asia - Insidethegames.biz |url=https://theverified.date/indian-media-fake-news-about-olympic-weightlifting-doping-takes-off-around-asia-insidethegames-biz/ |website=[[theverified.date]] |date=2021-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803023839/https://theverified.date/indian-media-fake-news-about-olympic-weightlifting-doping-takes-off-around-asia-insidethegames-biz/ |archive-date=2021-08-03 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.boomlive.in/explainers/tokyo-olympics-2020-mirabai-chanu-zhihui-hou-doping-ani-india-today-boria-majumdar-14122 |title=Unverified Doping Charge Against Mirabai Chanu's Opponent Goes Viral |newspaper=Boom |first=Dilip |last=Unnikrishnan |date=1 August 2021 |access-date=9 September 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803023851/https://www.boomlive.in/explainers/tokyo-olympics-2020-mirabai-chanu-zhihui-hou-doping-ani-india-today-boria-majumdar-14122 |url-status=live}}</ref>
In April 2023, ANI falsely reported a photo of a padlocked grave in Hyderabad, India, as being from Pakistan, claiming it was locked to prevent [[necrophilia]]. Fact-checking revealed that the grave was actually secured to prevent unauthorised burials and to protect it from being trampled.<ref>{{cite web |title=Photo of Hyderabad grave falsely reported as being from Pakistan |url=https://www.siasat.com/photo-of-hyderabad-grave-falsely-reported-as-being-from-pakistan-2579518/ |website=[[The Siasat Daily]] |date=30 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909132649/https://www.siasat.com/photo-of-hyderabad-grave-falsely-reported-as-being-from-pakistan-2579518/ |archive-date=9 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In July 2023, ANI falsely blamed Muslims for the sexual assault and rape of two Kuki women during the [[2023 Manipur violence]]. ANI later apologised for the mistake, blaming erroneous reading of tweets posted by the Manipur police.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kuki viral video: ANI apologises for 'inadvertently' claiming Muslim man was arrested |url=https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/07/21/kuki-viral-video-ani-apologises-for-inadvertently-claiming-muslim-man-was-arrested |date=21 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722142452/https://www.newslaundry.com/2023/07/21/kuki-viral-video-ani-apologises-for-inadvertently-claiming-muslim-man-was-arrested |archive-date=22 July 2023 |url-status=live |work=[[Newslaundry]] |access-date=22 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
In August 2024, ANI disseminated [[Non-cooperation movement (2024)#Disinformation by Indian media|misinformation regarding attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh]]. The controversy erupted after ANI shared a video on social media, which falsely depicted a Hindu father pleading for justice for his missing son. The man in the video was later identified as a Muslim, named Mohammad Suny Hawlader, who was actually seeking justice for his missing son.<ref name="india-2024">{{cite web |title=ANI Faces Criticism for Sharing Fake Video About Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh |url=https://clarionindia.net/ani-faces-criticism-for-sharing-fake-news-about-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh/ |website=[[Clarion India]] |date=14 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905142147/https://clarionindia.net/ani-faces-criticism-for-sharing-fake-news-about-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh/ |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI faces backlash for sharing fake news on attack on Hindus in Bangladesh |url=https://english.varthabharati.in/india/ani-faces-backlash-for-sharing-fake-news-on-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh |website=[[Varthabharathi]] |date=2024-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815143752/https://english.varthabharati.in/india/ani-faces-backlash-for-sharing-fake-news-on-attack-on-hindus-in-bangladesh |archive-date=2024-08-15 |url-status=live |last1=Bharathi |first1=Vartha |access-date=5 September 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The video, initially shared by ANI, was quickly picked up by right-wing accounts and other media outlets that rely on ANI's feed, further spreading the false narrative. Despite ANI deleting the video after being called out for the misleading content, the misinformation continued to circulate on various social media platforms, including Facebook, [[Instagram]], and [[WhatsApp]], perpetuating the false narrative.<ref name="india-2024" />
== See also ==
* [[United News of India]], multilingual news agency in India
== References ==
{{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{official website|https://aninews.in}}
* [https://www.newslaundry.com/2024/09/18/explained-whats-ani-vs-wikipedia-legal-battle-all-about Explained: What's ANI vs Wikipedia legal battle all about?] 2024 ''[[Newslaundry]]'' video
{{News agencies}}
{{authority control}}
[[Category:Companies based in New Delhi]]
[[Category:Indian companies established in 1971]]
[[Category:Multilingual news services]]
[[Category:News agencies based in India]]' |
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff) | '@@ -53,5 +53,5 @@
In July 2024, ANI [[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation|filed a lawsuit]] against [[Wikimedia Foundation]] in the [[Delhi High Court]] — claiming to have been defamed in its article on Wikipedia — and sought {{INRConvert|2|c|year=2024}} in damages.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news |last1=Khan |first1=Khadija |title=Why has ANI slapped a defamation case against Wikipedia? |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |access-date=11 July 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |date=10 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714172651/https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-law/why-has-ani-slapped-a-defamation-case-against-wikipedia-9443391/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI files defamation suit against Wikipedia, seeks Rs 2 cr in damages |url=https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |website=[[The Siasat Daily]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090900/https://www.siasat.com/ani-files-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-seeks-rs-2-cr-in-damages-3058599/ |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=News agency ANI files Rs 2 crore defamation suit against Wikipedia in Delhi High Court |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |date=9 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240709090858/https://www.deccanherald.com/business/companies/news-agency-ani-files-rs-2-crore-defamation-suit-against-wikipedia-in-delhi-high-court-3098159 |archive-date=9 July 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> At the time of the suit's filing, the Wikipedia article about ANI said the news agency had, "been accused of having served as a propaganda tool for the incumbent [[Government of India|central government]], distributing materials from a vast network of [[Fake news in India|fake news]] websites, and misreporting events on multiple occasions". The filing accused Wikipedia of publishing, "false and defamatory content with the malicious intent of tarnishing the news agency's reputation, and aimed to discredit its goodwill".<ref name="Wikipedia-caution" /><ref name="auto1" /><ref>{{cite web |title=ANI Sues Wikipedia for Defamation, Demands INR 2 Crore |url=https://www.medianama.com/2024/07/223-ani-sues-wikipedia-defamation-demands-rs-2-crore/ |website=[[MediaNama]] |date=2024-07-10 |last1=Parasnis |first1=Sharveya |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Content determined by volunteer editors, says Wikipedia parent |url=https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/wikipedia-parent-responds-ani-defamation-suit-says-content-by-volunteer-editors/article68395472.ece |date=2024-07-12 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
-On 5 September, the Court threatened to hold Wikimedia guilty of [[Contempt of court in India|contempt]] for failing to disclose information about the editors who had made changes to the article and warned that Wikipedia might be blocked in India upon further non-compliance. The judge on the case stated, "If you don't like India, please don't work in India ... We will ask government to block your site".<ref>{{cite news |title=Will ask government to block Wikipedia: Delhi High Court issues contempt order in ANI case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905101222/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kakkar |first=Shruti |date=5 September 2024 |title=Delhi HC pulls up Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905190702/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |archive-date=5 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> In response, Wikimedia emphasised that the information in the article was supported by multiple reliable secondary sources.<ref name="Wikipedia-caution">{{cite news |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914011253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |archive-date=14 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=15 September 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Justice [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]] said "I think nothing can be worse for a news agency than to be called a puppet of an intelligence agency, stooge of the government. If that is true, the credibility goes."<ref name="Bar and Bench 21 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Bhavini |title=Nothing worse than calling news agency a government stooge: Delhi High Court in ANI vs Wikipedia |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/nothing-worse-than-calling-news-agency-govt-stooge-delhi-high-court-ani-wikipedia |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Bar and Bench |date=21 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
+On 5 September, the Court threatened to hold Wikimedia guilty of [[Contempt of court in India|contempt]] for failing to disclose information about the editors who had made changes to the article and warned that Wikipedia might be blocked in India upon further non-compliance. The judge on the case stated, "If you don't like India, please don't work in India ... We will ask government [<nowiki/>[[sic]]] to block your site".<ref>{{cite news |title=Will ask government to block Wikipedia: Delhi High Court issues contempt order in ANI case |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905101222/https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/will-ask-government-to-block-wikipedia-delhi-high-court-issues-contempt-order-in-ani-case-3177771 |archive-date=5 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[Deccan Herald]] |access-date=5 September 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kakkar |first=Shruti |date=5 September 2024 |title=Delhi HC pulls up Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905190702/https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/delhi-hc-pulls-up-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order-101725545466043.html |archive-date=5 September 2024 |access-date=9 September 2024 |work=[[Hindustan Times]]}}</ref> In response, Wikimedia emphasised that the information in the article was supported by multiple reliable secondary sources.<ref name="Wikipedia-caution">{{cite news |title=Delhi High Court cautions Wikipedia for non-compliance of order |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |date=5 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914011253/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/delhi-high-court-cautions-wikipedia-for-non-compliance-of-order/article68610761.ece |archive-date=14 September 2024 |url-status=live |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=15 September 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Justice [[Manmohan (judge)|Manmohan]] said "I think nothing can be worse for a news agency than to be called a puppet of an intelligence agency, stooge of the government. If that is true, the credibility goes."<ref name="Bar and Bench 21 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Srivastava |first1=Bhavini |title=Nothing worse than calling news agency a government stooge: Delhi High Court in ANI vs Wikipedia |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/nothing-worse-than-calling-news-agency-govt-stooge-delhi-high-court-ani-wikipedia |access-date=21 October 2024 |work=Bar and Bench |date=21 October 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
On 21 October, the Wikimedia Foundation suspended access to the article for ''[[Asian News International vs. Wikimedia Foundation]]'' due to an order from the court,<ref>{{cite news |title=Wikipedia suspends page on the ongoing defamation lawsuit filed by ANI against Wikimedia Foundation |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/wikipedia-suspends-access-to-ani-defamation-case-page-following-delhi-hc-order/article68778075.ece |date=2024-10-21 |work=[[The Hindu]] |last1=Deep |first1=Aroon |access-date=26 October 2024 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> which is likely the first time an English Wikipedia page had been taken down after a court order.<ref name="BBC 30 October 2024">{{cite news |last1=Poddar |first1=Umang |title=Wikipedia v ANI: Why the online encyclopaedia has landed in legal trouble in India |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrdydkypv7o|date=30 October 2024 |access-date=30 October 2024 |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref>
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