Russia's communications regulator is threatening to fine Google and Wikipedia for not removing what it describes as misinformation about the war in Ukraine.
Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images
The Russian government is threatening to fine Wikipedia if it doesn't remove content that contradicts its narrative about the war in Ukraine.

Communications regulator Roskomnadzor announced on Thursday that it had asked the online encyclopedia to remove a page containing "unreliable socially significant materials, as well as other prohibited information" about its operations in Ukraine, according to an English translation. It accused the site of intentionally misinforming Russian users.

It said it could fine Wikipedia up to 4 million rubles, or nearly $47,000, for failing to remove those materials, which are illegal under Russian law.

Russia enacted legislation last month that criminalizes war reporting that doesn't echo the Kremlin's version of events — including by calling it a war. The law has forced most of Russia's remaining independent news outlets to close and many journalists to leave the country for fear of facing up to 15 years in prison.

The Wikipedia page in question describes the history and context of the war, as well as specific military operations, casualties and humanitarian impact, human rights violations, legal proceedings, international reaction, economic consequences and media depictions.

It is not clear what specific details the regulator is looking to have removed, but Newsweek reports that it said on Monday that the Russian-language version of the page contained "inaccurate information about the special military operation to protect the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics for the de-militarization and de-Nazification of Ukraine," including the use of the words war, aggression and invasion.

A spokesperson for the foundation told NPR over email that it had received demands on March 1 and again on March 29 to remove information from the Russian-language version of the page about the invasion, before learning of the possible fine.

"The Wikimedia Foundation supports everyone's fundamental right to access free, open, and verifiable information; this escalation does not change our commitment," the spokesperson said.

The information on Wikipedia is sourced and shared by volunteers, with the foundation saying last month that Ukrainian volunteers were continuing to make additions and edits to the encyclopedia even as the war on their country unfolded.

The spokesperson reiterated on Friday that the information within the article continues to be verified, fact-checked and "improved by an ever growing number of Wikipedia volunteer editors," who determine the site's content and editorial standards.

"The Wikimedia Foundation protects and will continue to protect their ability to engage in research and contribute to Wikipedia," the spokesperson added.

In a statement released after the first takedown request last month, the Wikimedia Foundation said the demand "threatened censorship," and that denying people access to reliable information at a time of crisis could have "life-altering consequences." As of March 3, they said the English-language version of the page had been viewed more than 11 million times, and articles about the war had been created in more than 99 languages.

"Wikipedia is an important source of reliable, factual information in this crisis," the foundation wrote. "In recognition of this important role, we will not back down in the face of efforts to censor and intimidate members of our movement. We stand by our mission to deliver free knowledge to the world."

Wikipedia isn't the only information platform facing such a request from Roskomnadzor. Just days ago, the agency warned it would fine Google up to 8 million rubles (more than $93,000) for not following its orders to remove YouTube videos to which it objected.

https://www.npr.org/2022/04/01/1090279187/russia-wikipedia-fine

Please can someone tell me if Wikipedia is bound by Russian law?

Russia is hell-bent on thoroughly zombifying their citizenry through their misinformation and propaganda that they are now paranoid over every other news or information outlet which is not under their control

Wikipedia just gave them the middle finger.

Chai how the mighty Russia has fallen

Ok they don't want history to hunt them in future, smart move but its not only Wikipedia that upload info about happenings in the world even nairaland does save info

Let's wait for miss Fernandezisback to explain more 4 us

Super Putin in the mud

I want to just know how it will be for Russia in 6 months

By that time, they must need plane repairs and other stuffs

the almighty Russia is threatened by a website , delusional,I thought the invasion will only take to weeks according to Putin a**lickers on nairaland? what happened ,is like this they want to challange the West? or they'll run behind their nuclear missiles for safety and they always do

We need to fine Wikipedia for Tinubu’s age too.
How can you give us information that “Tinubu was born in 1952

Puttin doesn’t want bad history
But it seems the whole world is supporting Ukrainia

Yeye Putin
Useless overrated, overhyped , unintelligent Russian Forces

Why..... All narratives should not always be in our favour.

Stop blustering Putin

Comrade Putin thinks he can intimidate everyone

The war is even getting bored. I even thought that before february ending, Ukrain would hv being non existing country.
Does it mean that Russia no reach anywhere, even boko boys are doing wonders than Russian soldiers.

The Press cannot be repressed!

Abeg their war dey finish sef... Nigeria sef we get war on our own

Thunder fire putin and e adviser's

Even tho

No one respects Russia. They can as well invade Wikipedia

Do these Russian Jokes think everyone in the world can be bullied into their own kind of pathetic zombie civilization, where sane adults can't challenge their slave master in Kremlin even when he commands them to stop using their God-given brains? Even when he tells them to deny what is right in front of them, even when he sends them to their own deaths. I have never seen such an Idiotic citenzry. A population of fools.

Putin the druggie, after I learnt he had cancer and is using steroids to treat himself even bathing himself with some antlers excreta, I pitied him maybe that why his face is puff up and always paranoid but he should stop being a bully ,this is 21 century not the old years we have emperors lording it over everyone and this is whom some online zombies are supporting, don't be surprised if most of them are buharia supporters, free speech and free Internet are the modern symbol of the modernised world, a million putin can't take us back to stone age

Mad o

The truth can't be covered

This is an April’s fools joke isn’t it?


The free and open source, people’s encyclopaedia of world wide affairs is asked to censor itself

This is April fool from Putin

Igbofam:
Please can someone tell me if Wikipedia is bound by Russian law?

Russia is hell-bent on thoroughly zombifying their citizenry through their misinformation and propaganda that they are now paranoid over every other news or information outlet which is not under their control

Wikipedia just gave them the middle finger.

Chai how the mighty Russia has fallen

Did you attend the Ukraine War Oscar Award?

BloomingDale:


Are you going to attend the Ukraine War Oscar Award?

And?
Y’all Putin lapdogs have to try harder than this, y’all no get content again?
Post us new videos of almighty Russia, do better

Igbofam:
Please can someone tell me if Wikipedia is bound by Russian law?

Russia is hell-bent on thoroughly zombifying their citizenry through their misinformation and propaganda that they are now paranoid over every other news or information outlet which is not under their control

Wikipedia just gave them the middle finger.

Chai how the mighty Russia has fallen

So long as Wikipedia is accessible in their country they ought to obey the Russia law or risk being scrapped from their internet.

..