Government Blocks 16 More YouTube Channels for Spreading Disinformation

The Centre on Monday blocked 16 YouTube channels, together with six working from Pakistan, and a Facebook account for spreading disinformation associated to India’s nationwide safety, international relations and public order, in accordance with an official assertion. The blocked YouTube channels and the Facebook account had a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore and have been spreading “false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony and disturb public order in India”, the assertion issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated.

“None of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the ministry as required under Rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021,” it added.

The ministry stated the content material printed by among the blocked India-based YouTube channels referred to the members of a specific group as terrorists and incited hatred amongst numerous spiritual communities.

“Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order,” it stated.

The ministry stated a number of India-based YouTube channels have been publishing unverified information and movies that had the potential to set off panic amongst numerous sections of the society.

“Examples include false claims related to announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19, thereby threatening the migrant workers, and fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities etc. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country,” it stated.

According to the ministry, the blocked YouTube channels based mostly in Pakistan have been discovered to have been utilized in a coordinated method to put up faux information about India on numerous topics such because the Army, Jammu and Kashmir and international relations within the gentle of the scenario in war-hit Ukraine.

“The content of these channels was observed to be completely false and sensitive from the perspective of national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, and India’s friendly relations with foreign States,” the ministry stated.

The ministry issued an advisory to non-public tv information channels final week, cautioning them towards making false claims and utilizing scandalous headlines.

The blocked YouTube channels embody MRF TV LIVE, Saini Education Research, Tahaffuz-e-Deen India and SBB News.

The channels based mostly in Pakistan embody AjTak Pakistan, Discover Point, Reality Checks and The Voice of Asia.