NEW DELHI: The govt has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels – including those operated by leading media networks like Geo News, Samaa TV and Dawn News – for “disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content” and putting out a misleading narrative against India and its security establishment in the wake of the Pahalgam attack.
It also cracked down on two misleading social media posts, including one related to a BBC report referring to terrorists behind the Pahalgam carnage as “militants”.
BBC report on Pahalgam termed LeT ‘militant’ grp
Sources told TOI that the govt has shot off a letter to BBC against the social media post. An additional secretary-level officer of XP division conveyed India’s strong sentiments to Jackie Martin, BBC’s India head, against the alleged indiscretion, an officer told TOI.
“XP division will be monitoring the reporting of BBC,” the officer added.
The BBC report, titled ‘Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists‘, had also termed LeT a “militant” group and cited video clips allegedly showing Kashmiri students being harassed in other states, while admitting that it could not independently verify any of these clips.
Among the Pakistani YouTube channels no longer available for viewing in India are Dawn News, Samaa TV, Geo News, Samaa Sports, Irshad Bhatti, ARY News, BOL News, Raftar, Suno News HD, The Pakistan Reference, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq and Razi Naama. These handles together have over 63 million subscribers, with Geo News alone boasting of 18.1 million subscribers, ARY TV of 14.6 million, Samaa TV of 12.7 million, BOL News of 7.85 million, GNN of 3.5 million and Dawn News of 1.9 million.
It falsely claims that Modi govt has, based on a cabinet decision, opened an account for modernisation of Indian Army and for soldiers who are injured or martyred.
