New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at curbing misinformation and hostile narratives during a time of escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Government of India has reportedly blocked access to the news website The Wire. The portal itself confirmed the development in a public statement, claiming that their site is no longer accessible within Indian territory.
Although The Wire has not specified the exact reason behind the block, government sources indicate that the action was taken as part of a larger crackdown led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) to curb pro-Pakistani content, fake news, and psychological warfare campaigns targeting the Indian population and armed forces.
The crackdown comes amid heightened border tensions, following a series of provocations by Pakistan, including infiltration attempts, drone incursions, and cross-border shelling. The Indian government has taken a multipronged approach—not just militarily, but also in the information domain—to prevent the spread of misinformation that could demoralize citizens and security forces.
As part of this information war counter-strategy, the MIB has taken down or restricted several social media accounts accused of pushing pro-Pakistani narratives, glorifying terrorist elements, or circulating fake reports aimed at creating panic or confusion. Sources say that multiple social media handles are under surveillance, particularly those suspected of acting as digital sympathizers of Pakistan-based elements.
The ministry has also reportedly directed Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms to remove all Pakistani content available for streaming in India, including films, series, and music, in a symbolic and strategic move to isolate the rogue neighbour culturally and ideologically.
“In modern warfare, the battlefield is not limited to borders—it extends into the digital space,” said a senior official on condition of anonymity. “Propaganda and psychological operations are a reality, and India must ensure that no platform, knowingly or unknowingly, becomes a vehicle for the enemy’s narrative.”
This is not the first time the government has invoked national security concerns to regulate digital content. In the past, similar actions have been taken against Chinese apps and media entities that were deemed threats to India’s sovereignty and integrity.
As India navigates a volatile security environment, the emphasis on securing not just its geographical borders but also its informational integrity appears to be a central part of the national defence doctrine.
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