The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has blocked 16 YouTube news channels for spreading disinformation related to the country’s national security, foreign relations and public order. Ten Indian and six Pakistan-based YouTube channels have been blocked under Information Technology Rules, 2021. The Ministry said, these YouTube channels were spreading false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony and disturb public order in the country. These YouTube channels having a cumulative viewership of over 68 crore.
The Indian You Tube channels which have been blocked include Saini Education Research, Hindi Mein Dekho, Aaj Te News, SBB News, Defence News 24×7, Tahaffuz-E-Deen India among others. Pakistan- based YouTube channels which have been blocked include Aaj Tak Pakistan, Discover Point, Reality Checks, Kaiser Khan, The Voice of Asia and Bol Media Bol. Information and Broadcasting Ministry said, YouTube channels based in Pakistan were found to have been used in a coordinated manner to post fake news about Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir and India’s foreign relations in the light of situation in 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 country’s friendly relations with foreign States. The Ministry said, multiple country based YouTube channels were observed to publish unverified news and videos having the potential to create panic among various sections of the society.
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