News outlet petitions Kerala High Court over Facebook page block

Malayalam news outlet NoCap has filed a petition with the Kerala High Court, seeking a formal disclosure of the legal order behind the restriction of its Facebook page in India. The page was blocked on September 28, 2026, with the platform citing a generic notice from government authorities, without providing specific details, individual posts, or a clear legal basis for the action.

In its petition, NoCap argues that the lack of transparency prevents the organization from addressing the alleged legal violations. The outlet contends that the restriction of its entire page, which previously served as a primary distribution channel for its journalism, is a disproportionate measure that violates the principles of due process. Since the block was enforced, the company reports that its daily reach has plummeted and its revenue, largely dependent on platform monetization, has declined by approximately 94.5 percent.

Legal arguments in the petition emphasize that Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act should not serve as an unbridled power for blocking content without proper notification to the affected party. The petitioner notes that current rules require platforms to act within three hours of an order, yet the absence of a reasoned communication to the user leaves them without legal recourse.

The case highlights a growing judicial trend in India regarding digital content censorship. Similar cases, including a recent ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, have affirmed that users must receive official copies of government notifications issued to intermediaries. NoCap is asking the court to set aside the restriction and affirm the right to be informed of the reasons behind content removal.