India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels over misinformation

India, Apr. 29: India on Monday announced a ban on 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir. Collectively, these channels have a massive following of over 63 million subscribers. 

The significant action followed the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). "On the recommendations of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India has banned some Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir," government sources.

 The list of banned YouTube channels includes prominent names such as Dawn News, SAMAA TV, ARY News, BOL News, and Geo News, among others. Other YouTube channels are Irsha Bhatti, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, SAMAA Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Sirazi, Mujeeb Farooq, Suno Newz and Razi Naama. In addition, action has been taken against social media posts that allegedly misrepresented the situation.  As per sources, a formal complaint was lodged with the BBC after concerns were raised about the portrayal of the Pahalgam incident, particularly regarding the terminology used for terrorists in their reportage. A formal letter was issued to the BBC India Head, and monitoring of BBC's reporting will continue. 

The Indian government reiterated its commitment to combating misinformation that threatens national security and communal harmony. The move comes two-days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took over the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack case from Jammu and Kashmir Police and began its investigation into the deadly attack that killed 26 people.  The NIA took over the case five days after the incident and four days after its team visited the attack site and started supporting the Jammu and Kashmir Police in probing what is considered the deadliest assault on civilians in the region in almost twenty years. NIA teams, which have been camping at the Pahalgam terror attack site since Wednesday, have intensified the search for evidence. 

The NIA teams, overseen by an IG, a DIG and an SP from the anti-terror agency, are examining the eyewitnesses who had seen the horrifying attack unfold before their eyes at the peaceful and picturesque Baisaran valley. The eyewitnesses are being questioned in minute detail to piece together the sequence of events that led to one of the worst terror attacks in Kashmir. (AFP)