The Wikimedia Foundation has accused French intelligence agency Direction Central du Renseignement Intérieur (DCRI) of censorship for reportedly forcing one of its volunteers to delete an article related to allegedly classified military secrets on the internet encyclopedia.
According to the intelligence agency, the article, which has been online since 2009, depicted a military radio relay station at Pierre-sur Haute, between the Rhône-Alpes and the Auvergne, and was claimed to be a ‘threat to national security’.
Wikimedia France said in a statement that it, "Cannot understand how bullying and coercive methods can be used against a person dedicated to promote the freedom and knowledge. As Wikimedia France supports free knowledge, it is its duty to denounce such acts of censorship against a French citizen and Wikipedia editor," the organisation said. It has claimed the volunteer editor was forced to delete the page under threat of arrest.
Wikipedia claims that the agency was unsuccessful in offering the proof that the article was a threat to the country, or to produce a legal order that justifies its action.
Wikimedia France vice-president Christophe Henner said if the DCRI comes up with the necessary legal papers the organisation will take down the page.
"We have absolutely no problem with that and have made it a point of honour to respect legal injunctions; it’s the method the DCRI used that is shocking," Henner said.
