BBC, PBS, NPR, and Voice of America, as well as other media outlets that receive some government funding, now bear the label. It does not appear on other government-backed outlets, such as the CBC in Canada or Al Jazeera in Qatar.

Currently, the 2,2 million-follower @BBC account is designated as government-funded. Media reported that the label was not assigned to the BBC’s other accounts, including BBC News (World) and BBC Breaking News.

Twitter has not provided a definition of what it considers to be “government-funded media.”

In a statement provided to media, the BBC stated, “We are in communication with Twitter to resolve this issue as quickly as feasible. The BBC has always been an independent organization. The British public finances us through the license fee.”

BBC is primarily funded by license fees paid by British households, which are also required to view non-BBC channels or live services. This is supplemented by earnings from business operations.

Musk changed NPR’s designation to “state-affiliated media,” which implied that the US government could influence its editorial policy and compared it to outlets such as Russia Today, which is funded by the Kremlin.

Media reported that the label was changed to “government-funded media” following backlash from NPR, which said it would not tweet from the account while the label was in effect.

Even the White House responded negatively to Twitter’s label, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating, “There is no doubt about the independence of NPR’s journalists.”

Some of NPR’s funding comes from public institutions, but the overwhelming majority comes from corporate sponsorships and membership fees.

Twitter defines state-affiliated media outlets as outlets “where the state exercises control over editorial content via financial resources, direct or indirect political pressures, and/or production and distribution control.”

Also read this:Ukraine’s 1st Dy Foreign Minister Emine Dzhaparova to visit India on 9th AprThe medial reported that Twitter CEO Elon Musk’s other companies, Tesla and SpaceX, have received billions of dollars in government funding, grants, and subsidies over the years, but none of their Twitter accounts have a “government-funded” label.

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Visitors to @bbcnewspunjabi encountered a gray screen with the following message: “…account has been suspended in India due to a legal demand.”

The British Broadcasting Corporation, or BBC, has not yet commented on the suspension, and Twitter has not yet disclosed the request that prompted its action.

Tuesday, the BBC News Punjabi Twitter account was’suspended’ amidst the manhunt for Khalistani separatist and Punjab Waris De leader Amritpal Singh.

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According to reports, more than 100 Twitter handles and multiple YouTube channels have been suspended as Punjab and the central government search for Amritpal Singh.

The operation to apprehend the leader of ‘Waris Punjab De’ was initiated on March 18.

This morning, the center requested that Nepal place him on a watchlist after intelligence reports indicated that he may have crossed the border using a phony passport.

The Hindustan Times was unable to independently corroborate Kathmandu media reports claiming he was hiding in the Nepalese capital.

On Monday, a new photograph of Amritpal Singh with his close aide Papalpreet Singh was shared on social media, as Twitter and the authorities attempt to keep up with the fugitive’s frequent appearance changes.

Papalpreet is reputedly Amritpal Singh’s mentor and was in contact with the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI. The photograph depicts Amritpal Singh wearing a jacket, a maroon turban, sunglasses, and clutching a beer can.

Papalpreet is wearing a hoodie. In an earlier photograph, the two are seen riding in a three-wheeled vehicle hauling a motorcycle.

Amritpal Singh was arrested approximately three weeks after he and his supporters assaulted a police station near Amritsar to demand the release of his aide. In this assault, six police officers were injured.

Since then, nearly 200 of Amritpal’s supporters and aides have been arrested, but he continues to evade capture, prompting opposition criticism of the governing Aam Aadmi Party.

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Cleverly is in India for the G-20 meeting of foreign ministers.

The offices of the British broadcaster were raided for three days last month, after which the I.T. department claimed the company’s income was “not commensurate with the scope of its operations in India.” Additionally, officials indicated the BBC had not paid certain taxes.

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The British government defended the BBC’s editorial independence in Parliament, but told opposition lawmakers that it would not comment on an ongoing investigation. Northern Ireland Member of Parliament Jim Shannon referred to the seizures as a “deliberate act of intimidation…,” putting pressure on the government of Rishi Sunak. Labour MPs have also expressed concern.

The’survey’ sparked protests in India and made international headlines because it followed a controversial two-part BBC documentary on the 2002 Gujarat unrest – ‘India: The Modi Question’ – that is critical of prime minister Narendra Modi, who was then chief minister of the western state.

The government ordered social media platforms to block connections to the documentary, which it described as “propaganda” reflecting a colonial mentality.

The documentary’s prohibition sparked protests in India and abroad, with government critics and free speech advocates arguing in favour of the ban and demanding further action against the BBC.

The government has categorically denied any connection between Modi’s governing Bharatiya Janata Party and the raids, and insisted that the I-T department and tax officials acted independently. A spokesperson for the BJP, however, also criticised the BBC for what he called its “venomous” coverage of India.

Last week, the minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar, criticised the timing of the documentary and labelled it a “hatchet job.” “… (you) assert that this is merely a search for the truth that we decided to publish 20 years later. Do you believe that sequencing is random? Not clear if election season has begun in India, but it certainly has in London and New York “The minister stated to ANI.

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According to sources, the probe relates on BBC subsidiary firms’ international taxation issues. The study was conducted just weeks after the contentious two-part BBC documentary series ‘India: The Modi Question’ aired.

Here are the developments that have happened

1.The director general of the Income Tax Department in Mumbai launched the search at three locations, according to a PTI report. The I-T personnel arrived at the BBC’s headquarters in Delhi and Mumbai at approximately 11 a.m. A police official informed PTI that I.T. department officials seized all the electronic equipment on the premises and inspected the employees’ cell phones.

The address of the office in Delhi is Kasturba Gandhi Marg. There are two BBC offices in Mumbai, one in the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) and the other in Khar.

2.The I-T department conducted a survey operation to hunt for papers connected to the company’s business operations and its Indian subsidiary. The department would like to investigate the BBC’s international taxation and transfer pricing practises.

The Income Tax Authorities are currently at the BBC offices in New Delhi and Mumbai and we are fully cooperating.

We hope to have this situation resolved as soon as possible.

— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) February 14, 2023

3.As word of the survey operation spread, the BBC’s press crew said that I-T authorities are still present in the Delhi and Mumbai offices and that personnel are working fully with the search. The BBC expressed its desire to settle the matter as soon as possible in a tweet.

4.After airing a two-part documentary series entitled ‘India: The Modi Question,’ the I.T. department at the BBC conducted a survey many weeks later. The first section focused on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s alleged role in the Gujarat riots of 2002, while the second section investigated his governance since his 2019 re-election.

The Centre restricted YouTube videos and Twitter posts containing links to the documentary after the first segment aired.

The Supreme Court of India rejected a petition seeking a total ban on the BBC in India last week, deeming the motion “absolutely misconceived.”

5.Several leaders of the opposition have criticised the government over the IT search at BBC offices. The general secretary of the Congress, Jairam Ramesh, criticised the administration with the phrase “Vinash Kale, Vipreet Buddhi” (When doom comes, a person’s intellect works against his own interests).

यहां हम अडानी के मामले में JPC की मांग कर रहे हैं और वहां सरकार BBC के पीछे पड़ी हुई है।

'विनाशकाले विपरीत बुद्धि'

: @Jairam_Ramesh जी pic.twitter.com/PvQ57tMTVP

— Congress (@INCIndia) February 14, 2023

6.In response to Congress’s criticism, the national spokesperson for the BJP, Gaurav Bhatia, stated that the Income Tax department should be allowed to perform its job. In addition, he accused the BBC of “venomous” reportage against India and claimed that the BBC’s propaganda and the goals of the Congress are identical.

According to him, the BBC is the “most corrupt” organisation in the world, and the Congress should recall that former prime minister Indira Gandhi banned the broadcaster as well.

7.In the meantime, the Editors Guild of India stated that it was “very worried” about the BBC searches and that they were part of a “pattern” of using government agencies to “harass and intimidate” media outlets that are critical of the government.

The Press Club of India (PCI) also condemned the raids and urged the government to prevent its agencies from “abusing their authority to intimidate the media.” In a statement, the PCI stated, “The current raids are part of a string of attacks on the media by government agents in recent years, particularly targeting government-perceived unfriendly segments of the media.”

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The BBC documentary screening at the TISS has drawn the abrasive rebuke of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Ashish Shelar, head of the saffron party’s Mumbai branch, has charged the institute with attempting to undermine Mumbai’s and Maharashtra’s law and order.

At Mumbai’s Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), more than 200 students are watching the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to the Progressive Students Forum, which is organising the screening. The institute had advised the students against organising the screening, yet here we are.

It is with the utmost seriousness that we note that some students, through a group, are engaged in activities contrary to the advisory issued on January 27th regarding the screening of a BBC Documentary forbidden by the Government and attempting to mobilise and trigger students to do the same, the TISS administration had stated in its circular.

The statement continued, “We caution the students to understand that any such acts by any student or groups violating the instructions issued on January 27, 2023 and engaging in any activities leading to disturbance of peace and harmony will be held responsible for the same and will be dealt with appropriately under applicable institutional rules on the matter.

The screening has been challenged by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which is currently in charge in Maharashtra. Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, the youth arm of the saffron party, organised a demonstration outside the college.

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Ashish Shelar, head of the BJP’s Mumbai unit, urged that the screening be put on hold and accused the TISS of attempting to undermine law and order in Mumbai and Maharashtra.

“By airing the BBC’s phoney documentary, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) is attempting to undermine law and order in Mumbai and Maharashtra. Otherwise, we’ll adopt the stance we want to take, thus the cops should quickly outlaw it! Shelar tweeted, “TISS should stop this business!

Students At Mumbai's TISS Screen BBC Series On PM Modi Despite Warning https://t.co/PDCCZS0abE via @ndtv

Good to learn that students at TISS could watch the Documentary series despite the restriction of the Modi Govt and the institute's advisory!

— Niraj Pant (@NirajPant2) January 28, 2023

India and overseas have both expressed extreme displeasure over the two-part documentary series “India: The Modi Question,” which details what happened during the 2002 Gujarat riots while Modi was the state’s chief minister. More than 50 tweets and countless YouTube videos promoting the documentary were removed as a result of the Modi government’s harsh criticism of it.

However, the video has been presented at locations including university campuses including Jawaharlal Nehru University, University of Delhi, Presidency University, and others by a number of political organisations. Conflicts have reportedly occurred when screenings have been stopped.

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Controversy has arisen ever since the release of a BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Now America has also given its reaction regarding this. On Monday, when a Pakistani journalist questioned about this from US State Department spokesman Ned Price, he stopped the reporter’s speech by referring to ‘democracy’. He replied, “I am not familiar with the narrative of the BBC documentary. However, I am very familiar with the shared values that the US and India have as two thriving and vibrant democracies.”

Addressing a press briefing, Price said on Monday (local time) that there are many things that strengthen America’s global strategic partnership with India, including political, economic and people-to-people ties that are exceptionally deep. .

Indo-US ties deepen

During this, Ned Price outlined the diplomatic relations between the US and India, and while describing India’s democracy as a vibrant one, he said that we look at everything that binds us together, and we try to strengthen all those elements. Look forward to what binds us together. He also emphasized the fact that the partnership that the US shares with India runs exceptionally deep and that the two nations share values that are common to American democracy and Indian democracy.

Rishi Sunak defends PM Modi

Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and distanced himself from the BBC documentary series, saying he did not agree with the characterization of his Indian counterpart. Sunak made these comments on the controversial documentary raised by Pakistan-origin MP Imran Hussain in the British Parliament.

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Demand for regional stability in South Asia

Ned Price said that we have long sought regional stability in South Asia. Our relations with India and Pakistan stand on their own and we do not see them as a zero sum. But the pace, scope and character of any talks between India and Pakistan is a matter between the two countries.

White House shuts down Pakistani journalist’s question on BBC documentary on PM Modi#BBCdocumentary #WhiteHouse #NarendraModihttps://t.co/H7lLKclvkD

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2023

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The controversy over the BBC documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi is increasing. The Ministry of External Affairs of India has also given its response on this. At the same time, in Britain also the issue of this documentary has been raised in the Parliament there. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also reacted after the Pakistani-origin MP raised the issue here on Thursday.

Let us know what is there in this documentary, which is being disputed? Why was it released now? Where did the controversy start? What does India have to say? What happened on this in the UK Parliament?

What is in the documentary that is being disputed?

British broadcaster BBC has created a new two-part series titled India: The Modi Question. Its first part has been released on Tuesday. In this series, the political journey of PM Modi’s initial phase has been talked about. At the same time, his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, his rising stature in the BJP and his appointment as the Chief Minister of Gujarat have also been discussed in it. It also mentions the riots in Gujarat when Modi was the Chief Minister. This part talks about PM Modi’s alleged role in the Gujarat riots. There is a dispute regarding this.

Where did the controversy start?

It was released on BBC Two on 17 January. Controversy started as soon as the series arrived. Its protest started on social media in Britain. People objected to this and said that BBC should also make a series on the Bengal famine of 1943. In which more than 30 lakh people died due to starvation and disease. One Twitter user wrote that the BBC should also make a series titled UK: The Churchill Question. Seeing the growing controversy, a day later, on Wednesday, the BBC removed the series from YouTube.
The matter reached the British Parliament on Thursday. Here Pakistan origin MP Imran Hussain raised the issue of BBC series. At the same time, there was a response from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs as well.

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What did the Indian Ministry of External Affairs say on the series?

Regarding the documentary released by BBC, Foreign Ministry spokesman Arindam Bagchi said that we think it is part of a propaganda. It has no objectivity. Describing it as biased, he said that ‘note that it has not been displayed in India’.
The Ministry of External Affairs has said that we think this is a propaganda material, designed to push a particular story. The bias, lack of objectivity and colonial mindset are clearly visible in this. He said that this film or documentary is a reflection of the agency and individuals who are spreading this story again
Referring to the comments made by former UK Secretary of State Jack Straw in the documentary series, Bagchi said that he (Jack Straw) seems to be referring to some internal UK report. How can I reach there? This is a 20 year old report.

What happened on this in the UK Parliament?

On Thursday, Pakistan-origin Labor Party MP Imran Hussain raised the issue in the UK Parliament. After this, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended his counterpart Narendra Modi. He said that he does not agree with the characterization of his Indian counterpart. He said the UK government’s position on this has been clear and long-standing and has not changed. Further, Sunak said, ‘Of course we do not tolerate harassment, wherever it may be, but I do not agree at all with the characterization that has been put forward about Narendra Modi.’

British MP accuses BBC of biased reporting

Earlier, Lord Rami Ranger, a member of Britain’s House of Lords, targeted the BBC in his tweet on Wednesday. The British MP accused the BBC of biased reporting and also criticized the BBC for hurting the sentiments of crores of people in India.
Lord Rami Ranger wrote in his tweet that “BBC News, you have hurt the sentiments of crores of people of India and also insulted the democratically elected Prime Minister of India, Indian Police and Indian Judiciary. We want riots and death of people. Condemn but we also condemn your biased reporting.”

India government criticises BBC's Modi documentary https://t.co/VzE3YCF5Fx

— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) January 20, 2023

United Hindu Front also lodged objection

An organization named United Hindu Front also strongly condemned the BBC on Thursday. Front’s International Working President Jai Bhagwan Goyal said that BBC knows that if it wants to be discussed worldwide, it will have to take support of Modi’s name only. Whatever other propaganda she is trying to do, it is a reflection of the imperialist thinking of the BBC, which is being uprooted from its own country.
He said that the two-part series ‘India the Modi Question’ on BBC is far from the facts. He objected to its name, saying that Modi would be a ‘question’ for the UK, such foul language would be befitting the BBC’s ethos. But Modi is the ‘answer’ for India and many countries of the world.

BBC describes documentary as ‘deeply researched’

Meanwhile, on Friday, the BBC defended its controversial documentary on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. A BBC spokesman said it was a ‘deeply researched’ documentary which sought to highlight important issues. “The documentary was thoroughly researched in accordance with the highest editorial standards,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Opposition parties also reacted
Now the country’s main opposition Congress has also reacted to the controversial documentary. Party general secretary organization KC Venugopal said Narendra Modi is still scared of the truth about 2002 coming out after 21 years. Venugopal said that blocking the documentary was a cowardly and undemocratic act. This clearly shows the dictatorial attitude of Modi.

TMC leader Derek O’Brien said that the BBC documentary he posted has been removed from YouTube as expected. Further said that let’s see how many more times BJP gets it deleted.

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