In a major crackdown following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, India has banned 16 Pakistani Youtube Channels for spreading provocative, communally sensitive content and false narratives towards India, its Army, and security groups, authorities sources stated. In addition, Shoaib Akhtar’s separate YouTube channel, with over 3.5 million subscribers, has also been banned.
Which Pakistani Youtube Channels banned by Government
The banned channels, which together have around 63 million subscribers, consist of the Pakistani news channels along with Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News, and Suno News. YouTube channels run by using reporters like Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema, and Muneeb Farooq have also been blocked for Indian users. Other banned channels consists The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket, and Razi Naama.
Government sources stated the action was taken at the tips of the Ministry of Home Affairs after it was found that those channels had been spreading misinformation, fake narratives, and content designed to incite communal tensions, especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam tragedy, wherein 25 tourists and a nearby Kashmiri had been killed in terrorist attack on April 22.
Banned Channels shows, Currently unavailable
Indian users trying to get access to the banned Pakistani Youtube Channels are now greeted with a message from YouTube declaring: “This content is currently unavailable on this country due to an order from the authorities associated with national protection or public order. For more information about authorities’ elimination requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report.”
The authorities also rapped BBC for its reportage on the Pahalgam terror attack. In a strongly worded letter to the news company, the authorities objected to the use of the term militants for terrorists who opened a fire in the Baisaran valley, killing 26 people and injuring numerous others. The government will retain to reveal BBC’s reportage on the incident.
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