In a sweeping clampdown on digital content amid escalating tensions with Pakistan, the Indian government has reportedly blocked access to an independent Indian news website, restricted Bangladeshi news channels, and banned multiple Pakistani media platforms and social media accounts across its territory.
On Friday, the website of The Wire, known for its investigative journalism and critical stance on government affairs, became inaccessible across much of India.
According to The Independent, internet service providers cited directives from the ministry of electronics and information technology under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Wire said that it would challenge the action in court, terming it a violation of press freedom.
Simultaneously, YouTube restricted access to at least six Bangladeshi television channels for Indian users following government orders, citing national security and public order, on Friday and Saturday in two phases.
Fact-checking site Dismislab reported that the affected channels include Jamuna TV, Ekattor TV, DBC News, SOMOY TV, BanglaVision News, and Mohona TV. These are among the most-watched Bengali-language news outlets, with Jamuna TV and SOMOY TV each boasting over 25 million subscribers.
In a parallel move, India鈥檚 ministry of information and broadcasting on Thursday issued an advisory ordering over-the-top platforms and media-streaming services to immediately remove all Pakistani-origin content, including films, web series, podcasts, and songs, reported The Hindu.
The ministry cited a recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed several lives and was allegedly linked to Pakistan-based actors.
The advisory referenced Part-III of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which outline content standards for OTT platforms.
In another controversial action, Meta has blocked access to the Instagram page @Muslim 鈥� followed by 6.7 million users 鈥� within India, following a legal request from the government, reported The Guardian.
Ameer Al-Khatahtbeh, founder and editor-in-chief of the page, condemned the move as 鈥榗ensorship鈥�. Instagram users in India now see a message stating the account is unavailable due to compliance with a legal request.
These developments come shortly after India, on April 28, banned 16 Pakistani YouTube channels that were allegedly promoting provocative, communal, and misleading narratives.
The affected channels include major media outlets like Dawn News, Samaa TV, ARY News, and Geo News, as well as individual creators such as former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar, reported Times of India.
The ban followed scrutiny by the ministry of home affairs and was enforced under the same 2021 IT rules cited in the OTT content advisory.
Viewers attempting to access these platforms from India now receive messages stating content is unavailable due to a government order related to national security or public order.
The series of digital restrictions mark an intensifying effort by the Indian government to control online narratives and media content it deems harmful or sensitive in the current geopolitical context.
