India Orders Blocking of 18 YouTube-Based News Channels: Here’s Why

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has directed the blocking of twenty-two YouTube-based information channels, of which 4 are from Pakistan, for allegedly spreading pretend information to mislead viewers. This is the primary time that motion has been taken towards the Indian YouTube-based information publishers because the notification of the IT Rules, 2021 in February final 12 months, it stated.

In an official assertion, the ministry said that it issued an order on Monday to dam 22 YouTube channels, three Twitter accounts, one Facebook account and one information web site.

With this motion, the ministry has, since December 2021, issued instructions for blocking 78 YouTube-based information channels and a number of other different social media accounts on grounds associated to nationwide safety, sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, and many others.

The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crore, the ministry stated in an official assertion, including that they had been spreading pretend information and coordinated disinformation over social media on topics delicate from the angle of nationwide safety, India’s overseas relations, and public order.

“Through the recent blocking order, 18 Indian and four Pakistan-based YouTube news channels have been blocked,” the ministry stated, with out naming them.

According to the ministry, a number of YouTube channels had been used to put up “fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir, etc.” “The content ordered to be blocked also included certain anti-India content posted from multiple social media accounts operated in a coordinated manner from Pakistan.

“It was observed that a significant amount of false content was published by the Indian YouTube channels related to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and aimed at jeopardising India’s foreign relations with other countries,” it stated.

The ministry stated that the blocked Indian YouTube channels had been utilizing templates and logos of sure TV information channels, together with pictures of their information anchors to mislead the viewers to imagine that the information was genuine.

“False thumbnails were used, title and thumbnail of the videos were frequently altered to increase the virality of content on social media. In certain cases, it was also observed that systematic anti-India fake news was originating from Pakistan,” it stated.

“The Government of India remains committed towards ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwarting any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order,” the ministry stated.