RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) pausing is essential to precisely control gene expression and is critical for development of metazoans. Here, we show that the m ⁶ A RNA modification regulates promoter-proximal RNAP II pausing in Drosophila cells. The m ⁶ A methyltransferase complex (MTC) and the nuclear reader Ythdc1 are recruited to gene promoters. Depleting the m ⁶ A MTC leads to a decrease in RNAP II pause release and in Ser2P occupancy on the gene body and affects nascent RNA transcription. Tethering Mettl3 to a heterologous gene promoter is sufficient to increase RNAP II pause release, an effect that relies on its m ⁶ A catalytic domain. Collectively, our data reveal an important link between RNAP II pausing and the m ⁶ A RNA modification, thus adding another layer to m ⁶ A-mediated gene regulation.