The Centre has banned 16 YouTube channels of Pakistan that were spreading communally sensitive information after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir.
The YouTube channels, with a total of 63 million subscribers, have been banned on the Union Home Ministry’s recommendations.
The banned platforms include YouTube channels of prominent news outlets such as Geo News, Dawn, Raftar, Bol News, ARY News, Samaa TV, and Suno News.
Additionally, YouTube channels of well-known journalists, including Muneeb Farooq, Umar Cheema, Asma Shirazi, and Irshad Bhatti, have been blocked. Other banned handles include Uzair Cricket, The Pakistan Reference, Razi Naama, and Samaa Sports.
According to government sources, these YouTube channels have been disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies.
This action comes amid strained relations between the neighbors following the Pahalgam tragedy, where terrorists killed 26 people in a brutal attack.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) teams, stationed at the Pahalgam terror attack site since April 23, have intensified the search for evidence following the incident. The teams, led by an IG, DIG, and SP from the anti-terror agency, are questioning eyewitnesses who observed the April 22 attack.
The incident has sparked nationwide outrage, with widespread protests erupting across the country, demanding stricter action against Pakistan over the Pahalgam attack.
New Delhi has suspended the Indus Water Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has responded that it has the right to suspend all bilateral pacts with India, including the Simla Agreement.
The Centre also conveyed its strong sentiments to Jackie Martin, India head of BBC, regarding their reporting on the Pahalgam terror attack, says a government official. It also sent a letter to BBC for terming ‘terrorists’ as ‘militants’ and Indian government is closely monitoring the reporting of BBC on Pahalgam terror attack.
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The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) on Saturday (April 26) also issued an advisory asking all media channels within India to refrain from live coverage of defence operations, and the movement of security forces.
