Version imprimablePRESS CLUB OF INDIA
1, Raisina Road, New Delhi - 110 001, INDIA
Email:- pressclubofindia1[at]gmail.com, Web: presscubofindia.org
Phone No.—23719844 23730248, 23357048
Statement Condemning Crackdown on media
On 9 May 2025, the news website The Wire released a statement, stating that "the Government of India has blocked access to thewire.in across India." Some 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."
If the government of India has indeed ordered this block, it would constitute a grave action against the interests of a free press in India. We the undersigned journalist organizations Press express deep concern over any action by the government that stifles independent news media such as The Wire.
The block is especially concerning as it appears to follow on the heels of actions against journalists across India after the horrific act of terrorism in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025, which was uniformly and unequivocally condemned by the Indian press. However, sections of the media and some You Tube news channels have been unfairly targeted. The X account of independent media organisation Maktoob Media has been "withheld" in India on a "legal demand," alongside the accounts of Kashmir based news organisations, and senior journalists such as Anuradha Bhasin and Muzamil Jaleel.
Previously, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Kashmir-based journalist Hilal Mir was detained, allegedly for his posts on social media. The X account of BBC Urdu too has been withheld in India. There are news reports that the government of India has issued executive orders to block 8,000 X accounts. X has not been allowed to share any details of these orders owing to legal restrictions, which goes against transparency and accountability.
While there is no doubt that the media as a whole has to conduct itself responsibly, the arbitrary blocks on some social-media accounts of media-persons and news organizations, the orders for which have not been made public, must be lifted.
Such crackdowns are against the freedom of the press and directly against the interests of the Indian public.
We strongly urge the government to be transparent in its actions, and to let journalists and news organisations carry out their work in an unrestricted manner.
Signed
For Press Club of India,
Sd/-
Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, Delhi Union of Journalists
