Editors Guild of India Calls for Unrestricted News Access Between India and Pakistan
Concerns Over News Blocking
On Wednesday, the Editors Guild of India raised alarms regarding the ongoing reciprocal blocking of news outlets between India and Pakistan.
The organization emphasized that unrestricted access to news is essential for fostering trust and understanding among the populations and nations in South Asia.
They stated, “Free access to news, opinions, and information is vital for creating an informed public, facilitating dialogue, and promoting peace in the region.”
In 2025, tensions escalated between India and Pakistan, leading both countries to block several news outlets following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
During this period, at least 12 Pakistani news websites were confirmed blocked in India, including the prominent English-language daily, Dawn.
The Indian government also prohibited 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, such as Dawn News, Geo News, and ARY News, citing the spread of misleading content regarding the Indian Army and Kashmir.
In retaliation, Pakistan began blocking Indian media outlets starting May 8, rendering at least eight Indian news websites, including India Today, Republic World, The Hindu, and NDTV, inaccessible. Additionally, Islamabad restricted access to 32 Indian news websites and 16 Indian YouTube channels.
The Editors Guild acknowledged that both nations have seen media organizations occasionally stray from balanced journalism.
They noted, “Instances of misinformation and panic-inducing fake news have occurred in both countries, jeopardizing lives and undermining democratic institutions.”
However, the Guild argued that such issues do not warrant blanket bans on news websites.
“While unethical journalism must be addressed, imposing a total ban is not the answer,” they stated. “Such measures do not eliminate the underlying issues but rather foster an environment of fear and distrust. These bans contradict the principles of democracy and freedom of expression.”
The Guild urged both the Indian and Pakistani governments to remove these restrictions and restore access to cross-border journalism.