WEBDESK: A growing wave of public anger has erupted across social media as demands intensify for an immediate ban on several major Indian news channels for spreading false propaganda and fake news. Prominent channels like Aaj Tak, Zee News, NDTV, ABP News, and Republic TV are at the centre of the controversy.
Aaj Tak
— 🚨Indian Gems (@IndianGems_) June 27, 2025
ZEE News
NDTV
ABP News
Republic TV
Should be immediately Ban by Government of India
Several social media users have taken to platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their frustration. A popular account named Indian Games demanded that the Indian government immediately ban these channels for deliberately airing misleading and false reports.
Indian News Channels Spread Fake News
According to independent research, investigations by media watchdogs have revealed that these Indian news channels frequently broadcast false or unverified claims, especially during sensitive moments involving national security, foreign policy, or relations with neighbouring countries.
In the recent tensions between India and Pakistan, several Indian channels aired unverified and sensational news, falsely claiming Pakistani military defeats, public uprisings in Karachi, Islamabad being taken over, the arrest of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, and even the disappearance of Pakistan’s Army Chief. Many of these reports included video clips that were either from Palestine, Sudan, or taken from video games presented falsely as real footage from Pakistan.
One particularly alarming incident involved some Indian channels using footage of Israel’s Iron Dome missile defence system and falsely presenting it as Indian military action against Pakistan.
Indian News Channels Face Public Backlash
Pakistan’s Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has already blocked 16 Indian YouTube channels and 32 websites for spreading fake propaganda. Internationally, countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh have also taken steps against Indian media outlets accused of running propaganda campaigns.
The demand for bans stems from what critics call repeated violations of broadcasting ethics by Indian news channels, accused of inciting hatred and spreading misinformation to manipulate public opinion.
In some previous cases, Indian channels faced warnings and fines. For example, during the Sushant Singh Rajput case, Aaj Tak was forced to issue a public apology for airing false reports. Independent fact-checking organisations like Alt News and the Centre for Justice and Peace (CJP) have regularly exposed such fake reports and filed formal complaints.
While many are calling for outright bans, others argue this could be seen as a restriction on free speech. Independent analysts suggest that instead of blanket bans, stricter media regulations, mandatory factchecking, and transparency measures should be introduced to hold Indian media accountable.
Observers believe this growing controversy is part of a much larger national debate on truth, journalism ethics, and the future of democratic values in India.
