Six Bangladeshi TV Channels in India Are Blocked by YouTube
Six Bangladeshi television channels in India have just been blacklisted by YouTube. Following a request from the Indian government, which raised national security concerns, this action was taken. The channels that are blocked are:
- TV Jamuna
- TV Ekattor
- BanglaVision
- TV Mohona
- TV Somoy
- DBC News
The statement “This content is not available in this country due to a government order related to national security or public order” now appears to viewers in India who attempt to access these channels.
The Government of Bangladesh Reacts
The Bangladeshi government has responded by declaring that it will want a detailed explanation from YouTube. If the explanation is not satisfactory, the government may consider taking countermeasures.
Foyez Ahmed Tayeb, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser at the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, shared this message. He said that such actions are unfair to the Bangladeshi people living in India who regularly watch these channels.
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Statement from Foyez Ahmed on Facebook
On Friday night, Foyez Ahmed posted about the issue on his personal Facebook account. He wrote:
“YouTube India has geo-blocked at least four Bangladeshi TV stations. This means people living in India cannot access these channels. This affects the rights of Bangladeshi nationals living in India who are regular viewers of these TV channels. Such action goes against international consumer rights policies. We will ask YouTube for a clear explanation. If we do not get one, we will be forced to respond with our own measures.”
Timeline of the Blocking
Friday: Dismiss Lab, a research group, reported that Jamuna TV, Ekattor TV, BanglaVision, and Mohona TV were blocked in India by YouTube.
Saturday: The report was updated, and it was found that Somoy TV and DBC News had also been blocked.
Concerns Over Viewers’ Rights
The main concern from the Bangladeshi side is that many Bangladeshi citizens live in India. These people regularly watch Bangladeshi news and TV programs. Blocking the channels has affected their access to home-country news and information. The government sees this as a violation of consumer rights and freedom of information.
What Happens Next?
The Government of Bangladesh will formally reach out to YouTube. They want to know exactly why the channels were blocked and what content was considered harmful. If the reasons are not convincing or transparent, Bangladesh may consider further actions, although no specific countermeasures have been announced yet.
Final Thoughts
This incident raises important questions about the power of digital platforms and how governments influence online content. It also highlights the need for transparency when media access is restricted. Bangladesh is now waiting for a proper response from YouTube before deciding on its next step.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
