BBC Urdu’s X account banned in India

NEW DELHI: The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Urdu’s X account was banned on Saturday, as part of the Indian governments censorship amid the escalating conflict with Pakistan.

“@BBCUrdu has been witheld due to a legal demand,” reads the blocked X page. On Thursday, X received an executive order from the Indian government, requiring the social media platform to block over 8,000 account in India. It is possible that BBC Urdu was one such account.

While the platform’s Global Government Affairs account expressed that they do not agree with order, citing its disregard for the “fundamental right of free speech”, they had no choice but to comply.

Also read: Pakistani cyber counterstrike targets Indian websites: state media

On Friday, news site “The Wire” was also blocked across India. The platform stated they were banned “per orders of the ministry of Information and Broadcasting.” They went on to add that they “protest this blatant censorship” and are “taking all necessary steps to challenge this arbitrary and inexplicable move.

Multiple Pakistani Youtube channels, including News channels, and Instagram accounts have also been banned in India. 

An Indian journalist was also arrested on May 7 for criticising Operation Sindoor.

Apart from censorship, misinformation is running rampant on social media, with incorrectly attributed statements, as well as doctored photos and videos being spread. 

Also read: Humour lost in irony: misinformation swirls amid India-Pakistan conflict