India blocks Instagram accounts of independent news outlets
Journo Mirror and Molitics India face social media restrictions amid coverage of protests against India's chief election commissioner
NEW DELHI, India (MNTV) — Two independent Indian news outlets have had their Instagram accounts blocked within days of each other, raising concerns about growing restrictions on press freedom and digital journalism in the country.
Journo Mirror, an independent news platform known for covering marginalized communities, human rights and political developments, said its Instagram account was restricted in India under the country’s Information Technology Rules, just three days after a similar action against Molitics India.
According to Maktoob, the restrictions came as both outlets were reporting on protests demanding the resignation of India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Journo Mirror said its Instagram account had approximately 500,000 followers and received 37.8 million views over the previous 30 days, making the restriction a significant setback to its ability to reach audiences.
The outlet condemned the action as an attack on freedom of expression and independent journalism, warning that blocking news platforms deprives millions of people of access to information.
Its co-founder and editor, Mohammad Ali, said the organization received no prior notification from Instagram or its parent company, Meta, explaining the restriction.
“When I returned after covering the protest yesterday to publish the coverage, I learned that it was banned,” Ali said.
He suspected that the outlet’s reporting on demonstrations against Kumar may have prompted the action, although the specific reason for the restriction remains unknown.
Ali said Journo Mirror would continue publishing through other platforms, particularly Facebook, while seeking clarification.
Molitics India, another independent outlet covering political affairs and elections, reported a similar restriction three days earlier.
Its editor-in-chief, Neeraj Jha, said the account was blocked without warning, leaving the organization unable to reach an audience it had spent years building.
“We did not receive any warning or message. It was abruptly taken down,” Jha said.
Molitics had previously faced restrictions on its Facebook page and challenged that action in the Delhi High Court. Jha said the organization planned to approach the court again over the Instagram restriction.
The controversy has also intensified following allegations of police harassment against Molitics reporter Amaan Rastogi while covering protests in New Delhi.
Rastogi filed a contempt petition in India’s Supreme Court, accusing Delhi Police of violating an Oct. 11 judicial order protecting journalists and other professionals from interference with their work.
The petition alleges that police detained Rastogi on Oct. 10 and 11 despite their identification as a journalist.
Officers allegedly prevented Rastogi from recording protests, confiscated their phone for approximately three hours and returned it damaged. Their press identification was reportedly thrown into a sewer.
The petition seeks contempt proceedings against senior government and police officials.
The restrictions come amid wider concerns about India’s use of information technology regulations to block online content and restrict independent reporting.
Neither outlet has received a clear explanation identifying the specific content or legal order behind the Instagram restrictions, leaving questions about transparency and accountability in India’s digital censorship system.
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