At a time when tensions with Pakistan are rising, the Indian government has blocked access to the well-known online news platform The Wire.
On Friday, The Wire released a statement saying that its website, thewire.in, has been made inaccessible across India. According to the statement, internet service providers blocked the site following an order from the Ministry of Information under the IT Act 2000.
The Wire accused the government of violating press freedom, which is guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. “At such a critical time, honest, fair, and reasoned news and information are India’s greatest strength. We strongly oppose this kind of censorship,” the statement said. The Wire also announced that it will challenge the government’s decision in court.
The Wire was launched in 2015 by Siddharth Varadarajan, Siddharth Bhatia, and M.K. Venu. It is run by the non-profit organization Foundation for Independent Journalism (FIJ).
