Independent news outlet The Wire said on Friday that its website has been blocked by several internet service providers in India. The platform said the move was based on orders from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, under the IT Act, 2000.
In a statement, The Wire called this action “censorship” and said it will take legal steps to challenge it. “We will not be deterred,” the outlet said.
This comes just a day after social media platform X (formerly Twitter) revealed that the Indian government had ordered the blocking of many user and media accounts amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Accounts of Maktoob Media, The Kashmiriyat, and Free Press Kashmir were among those restricted.
Calling the website block “arbitrary” and a “violation of press freedom,” The Wire added: “We protest this blatant censorship at a critical time for India when truthful and fair voices are needed the most.”
The statement continued, “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.”
The Wire said it remains committed to sharing accurate news and will continue to fight for press freedom in India.
