Press Freedom Report: April 2, 2025

India

• Court Order Raises Alarms About Digital Censorship
  The Delhi High Court ordered Wikipedia to take down content flagged as defamatory by the Indian news agency ANI. The ruling, based on a complaint about reputational damage, has raised significant alarm among digital rights advocates. Critics argue the decision sets a concerning precedent where courts may intervene in the editorial independence of open-source platforms. The case reflects a growing trend in India of using defamation laws and judicial orders to silence criticism or control information flow, particularly in the digital space.

European Union / Palestine

• Parliamentary Briefing Highlights Risks to Palestinian Journalists
  Members of the European Parliament convened to discuss worsening conditions for journalists working in the occupied Palestinian territories. The session focused on restrictions imposed by Israeli authorities, such as limits on movement, access denial to certain areas, and detention of reporters covering protests or military operations. Parliamentarians and press freedom groups emphasized the urgent need for international monitoring and protection of journalists working in high-risk zones. The meeting reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to upholding press freedom as a human rights issue tied to conflict reporting.