Amid the political tension between India and Pakistan, the Instagram accounts of some famous Pakistani actors, including Hania Amir, have been apparently blocked in India. This news comes after the Indian government blocked Pakistani General Entertainment Channels (GEC) programming on YouTube.
Along with Hania Amir, the government has banned Instagram access to the accounts of Ayeza Khan and Iqra Aziz.
The action has been criticized as deepening the digital divide between India and Pakistan, particularly in the entertainment sector. Indian fans who have long been supporting these stars now find themselves unable to view their posts and updates.
The ban on Instagram accounts follows India's clampdown on popular Pakistani drama YouTube channels such as those of HUM TV, ARY Digital, and GEO TV. This has disappointed many Indian viewers since they can no longer view the latest episodes of popular Pakistani dramas that have enjoyed huge followings in India. With Instagram also now being banned, the digital divide between the two nations' entertainment industries has become more evident.
India's Reaction to International Media Coverage
In addition to blocking YouTube channels, India has criticized foreign media coverage of the attack, particularly the use by the BBC of "militants" in place of "terrorists." India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) wrote a formal letter to the BBC asking them to revise the terminology in their reports. This reflects the increasing anxiety regarding foreign media coverage of events relating to terrorism and its effects on national security.