Bangladesh to Seek YouTube’s Explanation Over Blocking of Six TV Channels in India

Bangladesh to seek explanation from YouTube on blocking channels in India.webp


Bangladesh to Seek YouTube’s Explanation Over Blocking of Six TV Channels in India​

Dhaka, May 10 – The interim government of Bangladesh announced on Saturday that it will formally request an explanation from YouTube after reports emerged that six Bangladeshi television channels have been blocked from viewership in India.

Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, the special assistant to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, stated on social media that the government is treating the matter seriously and may consider countermeasures depending on the response received.

"We will demand an explanation from YouTube. If any clear explanation is found, we will be forced to take counter measures," Taiyeb said.

Channels Impacted, Rights Cited​

The restriction has reportedly affected prominent Bangladeshi news broadcasters including:
  • Jamuna TV
  • Ekattor TV
  • DBC News
  • Somoy TV
  • BanglaVision News
  • Mohona TV
According to media reports, including from leading daily Prothom Alo, the blocking followed a takedown request allegedly issued by the Indian government. The rollout of restrictions appeared to occur in phases, with four channels becoming inaccessible as of Friday.

Taiyeb criticized the move, arguing it undermines the rights of Bangladeshis residing in India and contravenes international norms regarding consumer access to digital services.

High Subscriber Base Affected​

Some of the impacted channels command significant online followings. Jamuna TV and Somoy TV each have over 25 million subscribers, while Ekattor TV maintains an audience of around 14 million on YouTube.

The Bangladesh government is awaiting a formal explanation from YouTube and is considering further action based on the response.

Related Developments​

The incident has sparked concern over transparency in digital content governance and cross-border media access, especially for diaspora communities relying on online platforms for news and cultural content.

This story is developing as more responses are awaited from YouTube and Indian authorities.
 
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