Kerala CM Denies Requesting Meta to Remove News on Facebook

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has denied making any requests to Meta to remove news articles concerning him or the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government from its platforms. The denial comes after the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) accused the UDF government of imposing an "undeclared social media emergency." The LDF cited the alleged removal of posts and news reports, particularly those linking Youth Congress leaders to synthetic drug peddling charges.

What Happened

Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan shared screenshots suggesting that news reports, including his own statements about an accused individual's alleged proximity to Mr. Satheesan, had their access restricted on Facebook. Mr. Satheesan, speaking after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026, stated that neither his office nor the government had asked Meta to remove any content. He noted that Meta's decision-making process for content removal remains unclear, as even news items favorable to him, such as praise for the government's coastal sector initiatives from the Latin Archbishop, have been taken down.

Mr. Satheesan suggested that these content removals might be linked to a recent meeting between Meta officials and the Union government, as similar incidents have reportedly occurred in other states. He revealed that his only official request to Meta has been for access to the official CMO Keralam Instagram page, a request that has been pending for over two months. He advised aggrieved news channels to file complaints directly with Meta, assuring them of government support and expressing a desire for the news items to be reinstated. Mr. Satheesan added that he does not believe that silencing social media is achievable by removing a few posts.

Key Facts

• Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan denied requesting Meta to remove news items from Facebook.
• The denial was made on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
• The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) had accused the government of an "undeclared social media emergency."
• Screenshots shared by Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan indicated restricted access to news reports on Facebook.
• Mr. Satheesan stated that news favorable to him, including one on the Latin Archbishop's praise, was also removed.
• He mentioned that Meta officials recently met with the Union government.
• Mr. Satheesan's only request to Meta was for access to the official CMO Keralam Instagram page, which remains unresolved after two months.
• News reports were restricted in India under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
• Some social media users reported the removal of posts showing the Chief Minister with an accused in an MDMA case.
• Mr. Satheesan confirmed knowing K.H. Mohammed Hussain and P.A. Abdul Salam, accused in the MDMA racket, but stated he learned of their involvement only after their arrest.

Background

The removed posts and news reports originated from Meta-managed platforms. Access restrictions were applied to multiple news outlets, including News Malayalam 24X7, Reporter Live, Kairali News, and Deshabhimani, citing "legal requirements" under India's IT Rules, 2021. Such regional blocking is typically enacted upon government requests. Mr. Satheesan addressed allegations of his connection to the accused in the MDMA racket bust, identifying K.H. Mohammed Hussain, a Youth Congress worker, and P.A. Abdul Salam. He explained his prior interactions with Hussain, including a phone call and a visit to his house after Hussain was injured during LDF government's Nava Kerala Sadas, and subsequent infrequent meetings, stating he was unaware of any drug racket connections until after their arrest during the "Operation Toofan" anti-drug drive.