The following discussion is an archived debate of the proposed deletion of the article below. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.

The result was redirect‎ to Fake news in India#Modes of distribution. While there was strong early numerical support for 'keep', I find hinnk's contribution persuasive, as did most people who contributed in the second half of the debate. Early statements attesting that this passed GNG were therefore considered refuted, and without them (and disregarding a couple of low-quality contributions), there is sufficient consensus to redirect. In terms of merging the content, this can be done at editorial discretion (the content is preserved behind the redirect). Daniel (talk) 01:06, 10 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

WhatsApp University (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) – (View log | edits since nomination)

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The term is indeed used in India. However, I don't think it has scope beyond a definition. It can be easily integrated in Fake news in India#Modes of distribution (WP:CFORK). Although start-class, it pretty much looks like a future repository for dumping all fake news spread on WhatsApp. For serious cases, there is already Indian WhatsApp lynchings. Gan Favourite (talk) 14:31, 13 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Note: This discussion has been included in the deletion sorting lists for the following topics: News media, Websites, and India. Gan Favourite (talk) 14:31, 13 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Redirect per WP:NEO. The topic is better covered in Fake news in India#Modes of distribution, and the term is not separately notable. Many of the sources here just contain uses of the term but actually cover the topic (and not the term). Maybe merge a brief mention of the definition in the NDTV article. hinnk (talk) 04:03, 14 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

  Based on the references added, keeping my !vote as is. These links [1][2][3][4] were added to support discussion of a Kerala High Court case. None of these mention the case at all, and none discuss WhatsApp University beyond using the phrase in a headline (two are political cartoons). The statement that "The phrase has…been a subject of stand-up comics" is referenced to a short review of a single comedian, where the topic is recapped very briefly. To Grabup's question below, the existing coverage isn't significant, and we're seeing how trying to present it as such means misleading readers. hinnk (talk) 05:38, 20 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Keep: i added some of WP:RS references. and this phrase clearly passes WP:GNG. Youknow? (talk) 12:26, 15 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Keep: Agree with @Youknowwhoistheman --BeLucky (talk) 13:11, 16 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Redirect I agree with @hinnk, the topic can be better covered in Fake news in India#Modes of distribution, other than the defination, there is not much to inside the scope of this article which cannot be put under the Fake news article. Xoocit (talk) 08:56, 17 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Keep: Enough sources are cited to establish the subject's notability. In my opinion, if there can be a standalone article with sufficient coverage, what is the reason to redirect? GrabUp - Talk 03:28, 20 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Keep for now. Sufficient sources have been added to make a reasonable case for inclusion. I am somewhat dubious that this will develop into a full article, so a merge could make more sense down the road. We can cross that bridge when we get there.--Mojo Hand (talk) 14:39, 20 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, Doczilla _{Ohhhhhh, no!} 20:49, 20 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Keep: For now, however, should be reviosited and if still not fleshed out, should be Redirect as that would be the best move if there is still not much thereCassierREDDDD (talk) 07:54, 24 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]
• Keep: It is a very common topic in India so it is notable. Perhaps a disambiguation page pointing later to the real Whatsapp University. Sectioneer (talk) 16:06, 25 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.
Relisting comment: Can we have a clearer discussion of the sources and whether they contain significant coverage of the topic? A source table would be helpful.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, asilvering (talk) 00:57, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Here's a stab at a source table. The strongest candidates appear to be a short article in the Navbharat Times, an opinion piece in The Hindu, and an in-depth blog post of questionable reliability. That last one is really a stretch, and I think we'd be hard-pressed to hit WP:3REFS. Even more so to get something large enough that it'd merit being split off from Fake news in India. hinnk (talk) 02:24, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Source assessment table: prepared by User:hinnk
Source	Independent?	Reliable?	Significant coverage?	Count source toward GNG?
https://cyberblogindia.in/the-great-indian-whatsapp-university/		~ Blog, no apparent editorial staff at the time		~ Partial
https://www.thehindu.com/society/whatsapp-indias-leading-university/article24358591.ece		~ WP:THEHINDU, but this seems to be an opinion piece		~ Partial
https://www.tv9hindi.com/business/misinformation-fake-news-will-be-the-biggest-risk-for-world-in-next-2-year-2355348.html			Brief mention, article is actually about a World Economic Forum report on online misinformation	✘ No
https://www.livehindustan.com/jharkhand/ranchi/story-students-need-to-leave-facebook-whatsapp-university-vice-chancellor-6861807.html			Brief usage	✘ No
https://hindi.news24online.com/travel/survival-tips-bear-alligator-water-whatsapp-university-truth-social-media/727091/			Brief usage	✘ No
https://www.scoopwhoop.com/humor/logic-khatre-mein-hai-kunal-kamra-takes-on-whatsapp-university-in-latest-stand-up/		~ Looks like a clickbait site	Screenshots and GIFs from a standup routine without secondary analysis	✘ No
https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/tech/gadgets-news/whatsapp-launches-check-the-facts-campaign-to-fight-misinformation/articleshow/105384003.cms		~ WP:TOI	~ 2-paragraph blurb, but has actual coverage of changes in WhatsApp to prevent misinformation	~ Partial
https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-ministers-whatsapp-university-jibe-at-bjps-new-online-campaign-plan-2270936			Brief mention	✘ No
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/yogi-getting-my-telephones-tapped-akhilesh/article37993341.ece			Brief usage	✘ No
https://www.apnlive.com/bjp-ruchi-pathak-india-on-99-years-lease-video/			Brief usage	✘ No
https://www.business-standard.com/politics/bjp-mps-call-kharge-vc-of-whatsapp-university-for-criticising-railways-123060901106_1.html			Brief usage in a quote	✘ No
https://www.jagran.com/editorial/apnibaat-secularism-of-whatsapp-university-separating-imul-is-like-saying-that-congress-has-no-relation-with-nehru-23434257.html			Brief usage, not related to what's being cited	✘ No
https://www.newslaundry.com/topic/whatsapp-university		~ Reliable publication, but this is a political cartoon	Appearance in a political cartoon, not related to what's being cited	✘ No
https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/bengaluru/2024/Jul/10/debunking-whatsapp-universitys-misinformation			Brief usage, article is about a tabletop game, not related to what's being cited	✘ No
https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/dont-go-by-whatsapp-university-kerala-high-court-dismisses-pil-alleging-forced-vaccination-of-children-198488			Brief usage in a quote	✘ No
https://theprint.in/last-laughs/whatsapp-university-phd-in-mangal-gyaan-maths-isnt-ec-you-know/2066319/		~ Political cartoon	Brief usage, not related to what's being cited	✘ No
This table may not be a final or consensus view; it may summarize developing consensus, or reflect assessments of a single editor. Created using ((source assess table)).

• Whatsapp University is a real University of India, They even have a Linkedin page

  https://www.linkedin.com/company/whatsapp-university/about/

  "A genuine global University with schools of Engineering, Law and Humanities. Aiming to be in QS Top 100 by 2033.
  

  Warning : Impersonators shall be Prosecuted or Shot." 106.210.38.218 (talk) 04:18, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Merge to Fake news in India#Modes of distribution; per WP:MERGETEXT. Not to say a term like this can't be used alone, see, e.g. Godi Media, a similar Indian term that has substantial references support - unlike here. Shotgunheist ^💬 05:20, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Note, also, I just rolled back an addition about the actual "Whatsapp University" as it is patent nonsense with 4 followers on linkedin, and does not add to actual article notability being debated. Shotgunheist ^💬 05:32, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Keep: the subject has been significantly covered by quite a number of sources, ToI, The Hindu, The Print, NDTV. Also covered by books such as 2019: How Modi Won India. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 106.210.38.218 (talk) 06:27, 27 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• EXPLAIN: On behalf the Whatsapp University I would like this listing for Whatsapp University to be remove ASAP. The Whatsapp University and Whatsapp College is well known brand names of Brahma University since at least 2016. Associating with BJP party and disinformation and misinformation by Wikipedia is causing a great confusion and commotion in minds of the students. Hope you understand and remove this listing in your online directory immediately. — Preceding unsigned comment added by ShymalWhatsappUniversity (talk • contribs) 09:17, 28 July 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Relisted to generate a more thorough discussion and clearer consensus.
Relisting comment: Final relist.
Please add new comments below this notice. Thanks, Aydoh8^[contribs] 06:44, 3 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Merge as suggested or Keep as atd. This smells very dictdef to me (unlikely to be expanded). It's clear the quote has caused a fair reverberation, but I concur with those who'd like to see these sources presented in proper context. BusterD (talk) 14:17, 6 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]
  • The suggestion an actual institution exists is farcical (and apparently based on our Wikipedia coverage). There are ZERO reliable sources which support the assertion this is an actual place of learning sufficiently notable to warrant inclusion in an online encyclopedia. The source analysis above by User:hinnk seems to indicate the subject is of only marginal notability. BusterD (talk) 14:21, 6 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

    Agree Shotgunheist ^💬 06:48, 9 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

• Merge. Best course of action would be to merge it with Fake news in India#Modes of distribution. MohReddy (talk) 08:45, 9 August 2024 (UTC)[reply]

The above discussion is preserved as an archive of the debate. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page (such as the article's talk page or in a deletion review). No further edits should be made to this page.