Social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, said on Tuesday that the Indian government had requested the restoration of @Reuters and @ReutersWorld accounts following widespread public backlash. Both accounts had previously been inaccessible in India, sparking concern from press freedom advocates and users alike.
A spokesperson for Reuters confirmed during the weekend that the agency was working closely with X to reinstate the accounts as soon as possible. However, by Tuesday, the spokesperson said there was no additional comment to offer. The main Reuters account boasts over 25 million followers globally, while its international-focused handle, @ReutersWorld, has around 718,000 followers.
This incident adds to the growing tension between X and the Indian government over issues surrounding content moderation and free speech. In March, X filed a lawsuit challenging a new federal website which, according to the company, grants excessive takedown powers to a wide range of government officials. The legal proceedings are still ongoing.
India has defended its actions, arguing that X mischaracterized the government portal as a “censorship portal.” Officials maintain that the website merely functions as a notification hub, alerting tech companies to potentially harmful or unlawful online content. The broader debate continues to raise questions about the balance between state oversight and digital freedom in the country.