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The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistani celebrities' social media accounts geo-blocked again in India
The social media accounts of several Pakistani celebrities were geo-blocked again on Thursday (July 3, 2025), hours after they became briefly accessible to users in India — a development that had triggered sharp reactions across social media platforms. Some of the previously restricted profiles became visible on Wednesday (July 2, 2025), reportedly due to a technical glitch. However, following the issue being brought to the attention of the authorities, the content was once again geo-restricted and is no longer accessible in India. In the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had recommended the blocking of 16 YouTube channels based in Pakistan. These were accused of disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false narratives, and misinformation targeting India, its armed forces, and security agencies. The list of banned YouTube channels includes prominent media outlets such as Dawn News, ARY News, Samaa TV, Bol News, and Geo News, along with other channels such as Irshad Bhatti, Raftar, The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, GNN, Uzair Cricket, Umar Cheema Exclusive, Asma Shirazi, Muneeb Farooq, Suno News, and Raazi Naama. In addition, the social media profiles of Pakistani public figures — including actors Mahira Khan, Saba Qamar, Ahad Raza Mir, Danish Taimoor, Yumna Zaidi, Fawad Khan, Mawra Hocane, and Hania Aamir — as well as cricketers such as Shahid Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Wasim Akram, Shan Masood, Hasan Ali, Naseem Shah, Imam-ul-Haq, Shadab Khan, and Shoaib Akhtar — remain geo-blocked in India. Further, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued an advisory to over-the-top (OTT) platforms, media streaming services, and digital intermediaries in India, instructing them to discontinue web series, films, songs, podcasts, and other forms of media content originating from Pakistan. The advisory cited national security considerations, stating, 'Several terrorist attacks in India have been established to have cross-border linkages with Pakistan-based state and non-state actors... On April 22, the terrorist attack in Pahalgam led to the killing of several Indians, one Nepali citizen, and injuries to a number of others...'. Quoting Part III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry underscored the responsibilities of content publishers on OTT platforms. It also referenced Rule 3(1)(b) of Part II of the IT Rules, 2021, which stipulates that intermediaries must ensure that users do not upload or share content that 'threatens the unity, integrity, defence, security or sovereignty of India, friendly relations with foreign States, or public order'.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Shocker For Pakistan, India Bans 16 YouTube Channels After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Kashmir Terror Attack Updates: Sixteen Pakistani YouTube channels with a total of 63 million subscribers have been banned in India for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, according to government sources. The YouTube channels have been banned on the Union Home Ministry's recommendations. The banned platforms include YouTube channels of news outlets Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News and Suno News. YouTube channels of journalists Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema and Muneeb Farooq have also been banned. Other handles that have been banned include The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket and Razi Naama. NDTV's Yasharth Rai Brings All The Details. Show Full
Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Pahalgam attack fallout: India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels; full list here
In another move amid the diplomatic fallout after the Pahalgam terror attack, India Monday banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels –with a total of about 63.08 million subscribers– for disseminating 'provocative content, false narratives and misinformation' against India, its Army and security agencies. The decision was based on the recommendations made by the Ministry of Home Affairs following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed lives of 26 people, mostly tourists. #JUSTIN:The Centre has banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for disseminating provocative, communally sensitive content, false, misleading narratives against India, its Army & security agencies in the backdrop of the tragic Pahalgam terror incident in J&K. @IndianExpress — Mahender Singh Manral (@mahendermanral) April 28, 2025 Here's the full list of the 16 banned channels on YouTube: 1. Dawn News TV – Considered among the leading platforms in Pakistan with 1.96 million followers, the channel uses the handle @dawnnewspakistan. 2. Irshad Bhatti – Irshad Bhatti's YouTube channel has 827k followers. The channel's handle is @IrshadBhatti01. 3. Samaa TV – Samaa TV has 12.7 million followers. The channel goes by the handle @Samaatv. 4. ARY News – ARY News has 14.6 million followers. The channel's handle is @ArynewsTvofficial. 5. BOL News – BOL News has 7.85 million followers. The channel uses the handle @BOLNewsofficial. 6. Raftar – Raftar has 804k followers. The channel's handle is @raftartv. 7. The Pakistan Reference – The Pakistan Reference has 288k followers. The channel's handle is @ThePakistanExperience. 8. Geo News – Geo News has 18.1 million followers. The channel uses the handle @geonews. 9. Samaa Sports – Samaa Sports has 73.5k followers. The channel's handle is @SamaaSports. 10. GNN – GNN has 3.54 million followers. The channel's handle is @gnnhdofficial. 11. Uzair Cricket – Uzair Cricket has 288k followers. The channel's handle is @UzairCricket786. 12. Umar Cheema Exclusive – Umar Cheema Exclusive has 125k followers. The channel's handle is @UmarCheemaExclusive. 13. Asma Shirazi – Asma Shirazi's channel has 133k followers. The handle is @AsmaShiraziofficial. 14. Muneeb Farooq – Muneeb Farooq's channel has 165k followers. The handle is @muneebfarooqofficial. 15. SUNO News HD – SUNO News HD has 1.36 million followers. The channel uses the handle @SUNONewsHD. 16. Razi Naama – Razi Naama's channel has 270k followers. The handle is @razinaama. 'Content currently unavilable' When users try to access these platforms, they can see the following message: 'This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report ( BBC pulled up over its Kashmir reporting According to sources, the Ministry of External Affairs also sent a formal letter to BBC India's channel head Jackie Martin over its coverage of the Pahalgam attack, criticising the use of the term 'militants' to describe the terrorists. 'New Delhi 's concerns have been strongly conveyed to the BBC by the MEA XP Division, and now the XP Division will be monitoring further reporting of the BBC,' the source added.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Centre Blocks 16 Pak YouTube Channels, Writes To BBC Over J&K Reportage
New Delhi: Sixteen Pakistani YouTube channels with a total of 63 million subscribers have been banned in India for spreading provocative and communally sensitive content in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, according to government sources. The YouTube channels have been banned on the Union Home Ministry's recommendations. The banned platforms include YouTube channels of news outlets Dawn, Samaa TV, ARY News, Bol News, Raftar, Geo News and Suno News. YouTube channels of journalists Irshad Bhatti, Asma Shirazi, Umar Cheema and Muneeb Farooq have also been banned. Other handles that have been banned include The Pakistan Reference, Samaa Sports, Uzair Cricket and Razi Naama. According to sources in the government, these YouTube channels have been disseminating provocative and communally sensitive content, false and misleading narratives and misinformation against India, its Army and security agencies amid strained ties between the neighbours in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy, in which 25 tourists and a Kashmiri were shot dead by terrorists in cold blood. If one tries to access these channels, they will be greeted by the following message: "This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order. For more details about government removal requests, please visit the Google Transparency Report ( India has cracked down hard against Pakistan, suspected of having played a key role in the Pahalgam terror attack. New Delhi has suspended the Indus Water Treaty and visa services for Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has responded that it has the right to suspend all bilateral pacts with India, including the Simla Agreement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed that those involved and behind the April 22 terror attack would get a punishment they cannot even imagine. He has said India will identify, track and punish every terrorist and their backers and our spirit will never be broken. "From Kargil to Kanyakumari, there is grief and rage. This attack was not just on innocent tourists; the country's enemies have shown the audacity to attack India's soul," the Prime Minister has said. "The time has come to raze whatever is left of the terror haven. The will of 140 crores will break the back of the masters of terror," he added. The government has also warned the BBC over a headline that read, "Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack on tourists". Several social media users had pointed out that the headline read as if "India killed the tourists". The External Publicity Department of the Ministry of External Affairs has said the country's "strong sentiments" have been conveyed to Jackie Martin, India Head for BBC, regarding their reporting on the terror attack, sources have said. A formal letter on BBC referring to terrorists as militants has also been sent. The government, the sources said, will monitor BBC's reporting.
