What’s Going on with Reuters in India?
Recently, a significant event unfolded in the realm of social media and international news. The official X (formerly Twitter) account of the global news agency Reuters has been withheld in India. Users trying to view @Reuters and @ReutersWorld are met with a message stating that the account has been restricted due to a "legal demand." This has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about free speech and media access in the country.
The first reports of this restriction emerged around midnight on July 6, with Indian media outlets like The Print breaking the story. However, the Indian government has denied issuing any legal directive regarding the withholding of Reuters’ accounts. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) stated that no such request was made and indicated it is working with X to clarify this "mistake."
Interestingly, this situation seems to connect back to a military operation earlier in the year called Operation Sindoor. During this operation, numerous social media accounts were blocked, but Reuters’ account remained active until recently. Officials believe that X may have acted on an old directive, possibly in error, leading to the current confusion.
While the main Reuters handles are inaccessible, other affiliated accounts, such as @ReutersTech and @ReutersAsia, are still available in India. Additionally, the agency’s main website remains fully operational. Reuters, which boasts over 2,600 journalists in 165 countries, has yet to publicly comment on the situation.
This isn’t the first instance of X restricting access in India. Back in May 2025, the platform suspended over 8,000 accounts in response to requests from the Indian government, including several belonging to international organizations. X has expressed its opposition to these kinds of restrictions, viewing them as censorship and a violation of free speech.
In today’s digital age, such events raise important questions about how social media interacts with government directives and the freedoms we often take for granted. As we navigate these complexities, staying informed and engaged is crucial. To connect with experts and gain deeper insights, consider exploring Pro21st, where you can engage in meaningful discussions about similar topics.
