Online Media Censorship Escalates in India, Report Warns

NEW DELHI: Since the beginning of 2026, India has witnessed a significant increase in the removal of journalistic content from social media platforms, according to a statement released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday. The new regulations, which came into effect in February, impose a stringent three-hour deadline for online platforms to remove flagged content, drastically reducing the previous 36-hour window.

RSF highlighted that this rapid removal process has led to the swift deletion of critical investigative reports, including those covering lead-bullet shootings in Kashmir, the forced displacement of communities for a Google data centre project, and accounts of alleged police violence from students. The organization expressed concern that the shortened timeframe undermines the ability of platforms to conduct thorough reviews before complying with removal requests.

The implications of these regulations are profound, as they threaten the freedom of expression and the ability of journalists to report on sensitive issues. Critics argue that such measures not only stifle dissent but also hinder public access to vital information, raising alarms about the state of democracy and human rights in India.

In light of these developments, advocacy groups like the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC) are calling for a reevaluation of these rules to protect online freedoms. As the situation evolves, further discussions and potential legal challenges are anticipated, with stakeholders urging the government to reconsider its approach to media regulation.