TV
In a decisive move, the Government of India has banned several Pakistani YouTube channels following recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The decision comes in the wake of the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where four terrorists brutally killed at least 26 innocent tourists.
The banned channels were found to be disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content aimed at destabilizing public order. They were spreading false and misleading narratives against India, its Army, and security agencies at a time of national grief and heightened sensitivity. Such misinformation campaigns were designed to incite communal disharmony and undermine India's internal security.
Inciting Communal Disharmony
The banned YouTube channels have been identified as Dawn News with 1.96M subscribers, Irshad Bhatti (827K subscribers), SAMAA TV (12.7M), ARY NEWS (14.6M), BOL NEWS (7.85M), Raftar (804K), The Pakistan Reference (288K), Geo News (18.1M) Samaa Sports (73.5K), GNN (3.54M), Uzair Cricket (288K), Umar Cheema Exclusive (125K), Asma Shirazi (133K), Muneeb Farooq (165K), SUNO News HD (1.36M) and Razi Naama (270K), with a whole total of 63.08M subscribers.
Social Media Reaction:
The action underscores India's zero-tolerance policy towards attempts at psychological warfare and disinformation originating from across the border. Social media users highlighted that the banned channels had significant subscriber bases and viewership, making their influence particularly dangerous during a crisis.
“There are many Indian channels/YouTube channels requiring the same treatment,” a user shared.
Likewise, another user shared, “Much needed, FB, Twitter, Instagram sites also need filtration.”
“Good move. If possible need to ban the whole of Pakistan from accessing Indian social media platforms. No broadcasting of content between 2 countries!” shared another user.
This move aligns with the Indian government's broader efforts to curb the spread of fake news, propaganda, and harmful narratives, especially those engineered by hostile elements.
