India has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading sensitive content and information, citing national security concerns. The decision follows the tragic Pahalgam attack, which left 26 people dead, mostly civilians. This move is part of India’s broader efforts to curb the spread of inflammatory content online.
Among the banned channels are popular Pakistani news outlets, individual creators, and journalists. As a result, Indian users are now unable to access these platforms, receiving a message from YouTube stating: “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order.”
The 16 Pakistani YouTube Channels Blocked by India Include:
- Dawn News
- Samaa TV
- ARY News
- Bol News
- Raftar
- Geo News
- Suno News
- The Pakistan Experience
- Wasay Habib (Individual Creator)
- Arzoo Kazmi (Individual Creator)
- Syed Muzammil Shah (Individual Creator)
- Shoaib Akhtar (Cricketer and Creator)
- Irshad Bhatti (Journalist)
- Asma Shirazi (Journalist)
- Umar Cheema (Journalist)
- Muneeb Farooq (Journalist)
Impact on Viewership and Content Sharing
The blocking of these channels marks a significant disruption in the flow of media between India and Pakistan, especially as many of these YouTube platforms had a considerable Indian following. This move not only limits the availability of alternative news but also increases the divide in the online narrative surrounding the region.
The ban is a part of India’s broader approach to clamp down on misinformation and national security threats via digital platforms, particularly in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
Stay updated with further developments on this ongoing issue.
