Pakistan Geo News Banned in India Amid Rising Tensions
The ban on Pakistani YouTube channels, including Express News and Geo News, has raised concerns about censorship and press freedom in India, amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent attack in occupied Kashmir's Pahalgam.
India has blocked the YouTube channel of Pakistan's Express News, adding to the list of Pakistani channels restricted in the country, citing national security and public order concerns. The move comes after a deadly shooting in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 men and sparked tensions between the two countries.
The ban on Express News follows India's restriction of several major Pakistani YouTube channels, including news channels and individual journalists' channels. The Indian government has accused these channels of spreading "false narratives" against India, its army, and security agencies, and promoting "provocative, communally sensitive" content. The list of banned channels includes Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, Geo News, and Bol News, among others.
Critics argue that the move reflects growing intolerance for independent reporting in India, despite its claims of being the world's largest democracy. The Indian government has also reportedly criticized the BBC's coverage of the attack, sparking concerns about press freedom and censorship. Pakistan has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has called for an independent inquiry.
The ban on Pakistani YouTube channels has sparked a debate about censorship and press freedom in India. With no official comment from the Pakistani government, the move is seen as a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the ban will impact the flow of information and the relationship between India and Pakistan.