New Delhi: Social media platforms Instagram, Facebook, and X blocked a parody animation shared by news outlet The Wire, triggering debate on content restrictions and press freedom. The Wire’s Instagram account also went offline in India for nearly two hours before restoration. Users in India saw a notice stating access limits due to a legal request. Access remained open outside India and through virtual private networks.
The blocked content was a 52 second animated video posted on Saturday evening across three platforms. The animation mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over claims of avoiding questions in Parliament linked to an unpublished memoir by former Army chief M M Naravane. Even after account restoration, the video stayed inaccessible.
Parliamentary tension formed the background. Opposition members disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings after Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi faced restrictions while citing excerpts from Naravane’s memoir on political decisions during the 2020 India China border standoff. On February 5, the House passed the Motion of Thanks on the President’s address without the Prime Minister’s reply. Such a situation had not occurred since 2004. Speaker Om Birla stated he advised the Prime Minister to stay away to prevent disorder.
The Wire stated the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting denied issuing any direct order to block the account. The outlet later said informal information pointed to a request sent to Meta to block the satirical video. According to The Wire, Meta blocked the entire account by mistake.
Under the Information Technology Act, authorities must inform publishers before blocking content. The Wire said no written notice reached the newsroom. The incident renewed concerns among journalists and civil society groups over digital censorship and procedural transparency.
