Social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk, has challenged a recent statement by India's IT Ministry, claiming that the Indian government was directly responsible for ordering the blocking of posts related to Reuters’ reporting. The company issued a clarification following public criticism that it had voluntarily removed content tied to the international news agency.

Dispute Emerges Over Reuters Censorship Claims

The controversy stems from Reuters’ recent investigative reporting that raised concerns about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance and policies. Reports indicated that X had restricted access to the posts in India, triggering outrage from free speech advocates. The IT Ministry initially suggested that no such directive was issued, but X’s rebuttal has contradicted this narrative.

X Pushes for Transparency Amid Mounting Scrutiny

In a statement on its Global Government Affairs handle, X said, “The Indian government issued an executive order under the IT Act, compelling us to withhold certain posts.” The platform emphasized that it believes in transparency and opposes censorship, but must comply with local laws to operate in India. The order, X added, is not publicly available due to legal constraints.

IT Ministry Denies Censorship Allegations

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has maintained that it did not ask X to censor Reuters specifically. Officials argued that their directives are guided by national security and legal compliance, not editorial control. “Any enforcement is aligned with the provisions of the IT Rules, 2021,” a ministry representative stated.

Free Speech Concerns Amplified in India’s Digital Landscape

The incident has reignited concerns about increasing restrictions on online content in India. Digital rights groups have criticized what they view as opaque and arbitrary takedown orders issued under the Information Technology Act. The debate also raises questions about the role of global tech companies in balancing compliance with core values like press freedom and transparency.

Global Media Outlets Watch India’s Digital Policy Moves

With India being a critical market for global platforms like X, YouTube, and Meta, the growing trend of government-led takedown orders is being closely monitored by media watchdogs. Reuters has not officially commented on the blocked content, but sources inside the agency have voiced concern over access to journalism being curtailed.