Wikipedia avoided being blocked in Russia by media watchdog Roskomnadzor after changing the URL of an article that had been determined unlawful by a court, the TJournal news website reported Saturday.
In late June a court in the Astrakhan region determined that a Wikipedia article about a drug named charas violated the law because it contained information on how to prepare it.
Last Tuesday Roskomnadzor warned Wikipedia that the website would be blocked in Russia unless the article was removed.
Stanislav Kozlovsky, executive director of Wikimedia RU, a non-commercial organization that runs Wikipedia in Russia, refused to remove the article, claiming it was based on information published on the official website of the United Nations. Four days later the article was given a new URL, as the court's decision only concerned the article's original URL.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
