In a decisive move, the Government has blocked 16 Pakistani YouTube channels for spreading misleading, inflammatory, and divisive content in the aftermath of the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The channels stand accused of glorifying terrorism, promoting communal hatred, and creating a false narrative designed to stoke war hysteria and destabilise regional peace. This action comes at a time when the global information ecosystem is increasingly vulnerable to manipulation. The blocked channels were actively engaging in a campaign of misinformation aimed at portraying terrorists as victims and the Indian state as an aggressor. The most dangerous aspect of this narrative engineering lies in its subtle normalisation and romanticisation of terror. These channels deliberately blurred the line between terror violence and political dissent, offering ideological cover to acts of brutality. By labelling cold-blooded terrorists as “freedom fighters” or “militants,” they attempted to provide an escape route from accountability rather than an unpardonable crime against humanity.
Furthermore, the propagation of false claims-such as exaggerated human rights abuses by forces or fabricated communal clashes-only serves to widen societal divisions. The content disseminated was not only factually incorrect but also emotionally charged, designed to provoke anger, distrust, and retaliation. This is not journalism; it is psychological warfare masquerading as news. The Government’s objection to the BBC’s terminology in its report on the Pahalgam attack also reflects the broader concern over language sanitising terror.
The action is therefore not an attack on press freedom but a necessary step to curb weaponised information. There is a clear distinction between critical journalism and deliberate incitement-these channels crossed that line. At a time when the world needs narratives of peace and humanity, these platforms chose to fan the flames of hatred. Glorification of terror, disinformation campaigns, and the agenda of division cannot be tolerated. In the battle for truth, shielding society from hate-filled propaganda is not censorship-it is responsibility.
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