Refusing to Remove Fabricated Information, Wikipedia Blocked in Turkey

Jakarta, 2 Sya’ban 1438/29 April 2017 (MINA) – Turkey authorities has blocked the online encyclopedia Wikipedia y on Saturday after the website refused to cooperate with Turkey to remove false content about the country’s terror ties.

According to the official sources, the internet watchdog Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) banned the website after it did not respond to any of the warnings by the government against the fabricated information aiming to show Turkey in cooperation with some terror groups.

The Ministry of Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications said Saturday the site was blocked for “becoming an information source acting with groups conducting a smear campaign against Turkey in the international arena.”

Officials have warned Wikipedia to remove content likening Turkey to terror groups but the site “persistently” did not, Daily Sabah reported.

Turkey also requested Wikipedia to open a representative agency in the country, comply with the international law, pay taxes like other companies operating in the country.

The officials said the website will be operative once again after the country’s demands are met.

The site has been blocked under a provisional administrative order without a court order but a monitoring group says an order is expected in the coming days.(T/RE1/RE5)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)