Pakistan bans Al Jazeera over PoK protest coverage, accuses Qatar outlet of yellow journalism
Any formal announcement regarding the ban has not been tendered publicly, however multiple users across Pakistan have taken to social media claiming they were unable to access Al Jazeera's English-language website.
PTC News Desk: Pakistan has reportedly blocked access to Al Jazeera after it broadcasted a series of reports on Islamabad's brutal crackdown on anti-government protests and election-related protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Any formal announcement regarding the ban has not been tendered publicly, however multiple users across Pakistan have taken to social media claiming they were unable to access Al Jazeera's English-language website.
Pakistan's Information and Broadcasting (I&B) ministry has criticised Al Jazeera's "selective reporting," accusing the media organisation of "misrepresenting" the elections and the voting process.
"We have taken note of Al Jazeera's selective reporting from handpicked polling stations in Muzaffarabad today. Through carefully chosen timings and scripted statements from selected individuals, the channel has sought to misrepresent the AJK elections and the voting process," the ministry said in a statement posted on its X handle.
Pakistan refers to the parts of Jammu and Kashmir under its control as "Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)". It also accused Al Jazeera of "yellow journalism", a term used for reporting that is exaggerated or sensational to attract attention. The criticism came after Al Jazeera aired detailed reports from the disputed region.
India maintains that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inseparable part of the country. It also says that Pakistan is in illegal occupation of parts of these territories.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) criticised Pakistan over what it described as a systematic crackdown on journalism, pointing to communication shutdowns and government restrictions that make reporting difficult.
"CPJ is monitoring the deteriorating press freedom conditions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir amid ongoing protests. Reports of internet blackouts, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the detention and disappearance of journalists are deeply concerning. Pakistani authorities must immediately end the crackdown on journalists, restore access to information, and allow independent reporting," the group said in a post on X.