Press Freedom Report: April 3, 2025

India

• New Internet Regulations Raise Alarm
  India’s government has introduced new content moderation rules for digital news outlets and streaming platforms, requiring pre-clearance of “sensitive” materials and real-time cooperation with government censors. Media and civil liberties groups have sharply criticized the move as an unconstitutional expansion of state control over journalism and digital speech. While the government defends the regulations as necessary for national security, critics say the rules threaten investigative reporting and editorial independence.

Egypt

• Editor Detained Without Charge
  An editor for an independent Egyptian news outlet was detained in Cairo following a series of articles critical of military spending and lack of transparency in defense contracting. No formal charges have been filed, but authorities cited national security concerns. The editor’s legal team is being denied access. This fits a pattern of pre-trial detentions targeting journalists, reinforcing Egypt’s position as one of the world’s most restrictive environments for media freedom.

United States

• White House Media Pool Restrictions Expand
  Several reporters were denied access to official press briefings after their outlets published critical coverage of the administration. While no formal explanation was provided, correspondents and watchdogs view this as a deliberate effort to shape the narrative by controlling who gets to ask questions. Such informal access restrictions, though difficult to litigate, contribute to a climate of fear and self-censorship within the press corps.