Wikipedia positions itself as a “free encyclopedia”, but biased articles are visible to the naked eye and journalistic principles are not remembered here. This opinion was expressed by Alexander Khinshtein, chairman of the State Duma Information Policy Committee, commenting on socialbites.ca’s news that the World Court in Moscow imposed another fine on Wikipedia for refusing to remove misinformation about events in Ukraine.
According to the parliamentarian, global big technology showed its true face last year: while proclaiming the principles of equality and democracy, its actions speak differently.
“Blocking Russian accounts is a one-sided picture and fake – that’s how global IT companies see freedom, it’s more like impunity and anarchy. Wikipedia was no exception,” said Alexander Khinshtein.
The interlocutor of the publication emphasized that the news about the penalties imposed on foreign companies is increasing. For him, this fact means two things at once: first, that no one will tolerate illegal acts regardless of who commits them, and second, that the volume of forensic enforcement is increasing – and this is a good thing, a reason for IT giants to reconsider their behavior in the Russian market.
“Wikimedia’s repeated refusal to remove misinformation only underscores how important it is to a certain circle of people that this slander be found on Wikipedia’s pages in its current form. The reaction to the lack of neutrality and suppression of disturbing facts is absolutely justified, no state tolerates slander against itself, Russia is not unique in this, ”said the chairman of the Duma committee.
He added that this is not the first fine on Wikipedia, and given the number of fines, the measure may seem ineffective. But this is not so, the deputy was convinced.
“Yes, there are other sanctions for not removing illegal content, but we have always adhered to the principle of progressive action. In these matters, the state does not shrug and rises, giving the opportunity to make the right decision. Wikimedia should consider how it wants to continue its activities on Russian soil, because in addition to fines there are other methods of coercion.”
On February 28, it was learned that the World Court of Judicial District 422 of Tagansky District of Moscow imposed an administrative fine of 2 million rubles on Wikimedia Foundation Inc for not removing unreliable information about events in Ukraine from Wikipedia.