Independent media outlet The Wire became the latest target of government censorship as it found out that its website is blocked for internet users in India on Friday. Amidst the volatile situation in India due to heightened tensions with Pakistan, the Union government has been blocking access to social media accounts and YouTube channels, citing security concerns.
“In a clear violation of the Constitutional guarantee of freedom of the press, the Government of India has blocked access to http://thewire.in across India. Internet Service Providers say The Wire has been “blocked as per the order of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IT Act, 2000,” The Wire said in a statement.
“We are taking all necessary steps to challenge this arbitrary and inexplicable blocking,” The Wire’s Editor, Seema Chishti, said in a post on X.
“We protest this blatant censorship at a critical time for India when sane, truthful, fair and rational voices and sources of news and information are among the biggest assets that India has,” the online portal argued.
On Thursday, X account of Maktoob Media, Free Press Kashmir and The Kashmiriyat were withheld in India in response to a legal demand by the government. Elon Musk’s company said it has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring it to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defence directed all media channels, digital platforms and individuals to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movement of security forces. This comes after Indian TV channels aired misinformation about the escalation in their live coverage.
“Your support has kept our work going for the past 10 years and we are counting on all of us standing together at this time. We will not be deterred from providing truthful and accurate news to all our readers,” Wire’s presser said.
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