Indian Govt’s Blockade of The Wire and Social Media Accounts Sparks Outrage from News Collectives, Opposition

New Delhi – The Indian government’s decision to block access to The Wire, a prominent independent news portal, and the abrupt withholding of X accounts of independent media organizations – Maktoob Media, The Kashmiriyat, and Free Press Kashmir – have drawn widespread condemnation from journalists, media organizations, and opposition leaders.

The moves, which include the government’s orders to block over 8,000 accounts on X, including those of international news organizations, are being criticized as a direct assault on press freedom and constitutional rights. The blockade of The Wire was reportedly ordered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the IT Act, 2000, while the X accounts were withheld on May 8 without official communication, intensifying concerns about censorship amid heightened media scrutiny following Operation Sindoor.

The Kashmiriyat and Free Press Kashmir, both Kashmir-based outlets, have been actively reporting on tensions between India and Pakistan, while Maktoob Media, based in Kerala, focuses on human rights and minority issues.

On May 9, The Wire announced that its website had been blocked by several Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in India, citing orders from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. One ISP confirmed the block was enforced under the IT Act, 2000, though no public disclosure of the order has been provided. The Wire, known for its investigative journalism, condemned the restriction as a violation of freedom of the press.

Senior journalist Urmilesh decried the blockade, stating, “The prestigious news portal The Wire, globally renowned for its independent and courageous journalism, has been banned in India. This decision is utterly undemocratic, unilateral, and an attack on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression.”

DIGIPUB, a coalition of digital news publishers condemned the censorship, stating, “If the Indian government has indeed blocked access to The Wire, it is a blatant attack on press freedom. Silencing independent media doesn’t protect democracy—it weakens it.” The organization demanded the immediate reversal of the block and transparency regarding the government’s orders, emphasizing that “a free media is the best antidote to misinformation and fake news.”

D. Raja’s Letter to Information Minister

D. Raja, General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), wrote to Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw, expressing concern over media coverage post-Operation Sindoor. Raja criticized certain television news channels for airing “inflammatory and misleading content,” accusing them of communalizing the issue and spreading unverified claims without official confirmation. He argued that such coverage undermines responsible journalism and threatens national unity.

Raja also highlighted the blockade of The Wire, stating, “At the same time, access to responsible news portals like TheWire.in has been blocked.” He urged the Ministry to act against channels promoting communal hatred, restore access to platforms like The Wire, and provide fact-based briefings in coordination with the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, and External Affairs to counter misinformation. “Truth is being sacrificed under noise, prejudice, and sensationalism,” Raja wrote. “The airwaves must not become battlegrounds of distortion when the nation needs calm and clarity.”

General Secretary CPI(M) and Ex Member of parliament in Rajya Sabha MA Baby also condemned the censorship of The Wire. " When media outlets that are continuously peddling fake news on #OperationSindoor are being allowed to run uninterrupted, credible news portals are being blocked. Such attacks on the freedom of the press are not acceptable," he wrote in an x post.

Dr Jitendra Meena, spokesperson of Bharat Adivasi Party (BAP) shared a post on X stating, " The Indian government has closed thousands of accounts on X without giving any reason. Earlier the YouTube channel was closed. The account of our friend Ashwini Soni (Ramraajya) is also one of them. Is the government imposing censorship under the guise of war? Is the government preparing to suppress the voice of the opposition?"

The Chennai Press Club also strongly condemned the actions by the Government of India to block access to the websites and social media accounts of independent media organisations, including The Wire, Maktoob Media. "These actions, taken without prior notice or transparent explanation, amount to a grave infringement on the constitutional guarantee of press freedom and a worrying sign of escalating censorship" a statement read.

At a time when the public urgently needs access to accurate, diverse, and independent information-particularly amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan-such arbitrary blocks set a dangerous precedent and suppress voices committed to public interest journalism.

"We urge the Government of India and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to immediately revoke these bans and restore access to the affected media platforms. Democratic discourse cannot thrive in an environment where critical and alternative narratives are silenced", M.Suresh Vedhanayagam, the press club President said in the statement.