New Delhi: In a significant move following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, the Union Government has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating misinformation against the country. The banned channels include prominent news outlets such as Dawn News, Samaa TV, Ary News, and Geo News.
According to government sources, these YouTube channels were found to be spreading provocative and communally sensitive content, along with false and misleading narratives targeting India, its Army, and security agencies. The collective subscriber base of these banned channels exceeds 63 million, highlighting the scale of their reach.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reportedly took this action after identifying a pattern of sustained disinformation campaigns originating from these channels, particularly in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. The content was deemed detrimental to national security and public order.
In addition to the YouTube ban, the Union Government has also raised concerns regarding the BBC’s reporting on the recent terror attack in Peshawar. Strong sentiments were conveyed to the Head of BBC India, and a formal letter has been sent to the organization objecting to the terminology used, specifically the description of terrorists as “militants.”
Sources indicate that the External Affairs Ministry will be closely monitoring the BBC’s reporting on matters related to India to ensure accuracy and impartiality.
The Union Government’s swift action underscores its firm stance against the spread of misinformation and its commitment to safeguarding national interests in the digital space. This move is likely to further strain relations between India and Pakistan, particularly concerning media narratives.