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The Ministry of I&B blocks 8 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order
7 Indian and 1 Pakistan-based YouTube news channels blocked under IT Rules, 2021
Blocked YouTube channels had over 114 crore views, and 85 lakh 73 thousand subscribers
Fake anti-India content was being monetized by the blocked channels on YouTube
By PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, issued orders on 16.08.2022 for blocking of eight (8) YouTube-based news channels, one (1) Facebook account, and two Facebook posts. The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 114 crores and were subscribed to by over 85 lakh users.
Analysis of Content
The purpose of the content published by some of these YouTube channels was to spread hatred among religious communities in India. False claims were made in various videos on the blocked YouTube channels. Examples include fake news such as the Government of India to have ordered the demolition of religious structures; the Government of India to have banned the celebration of religious festivals, the declaration of religious war in India, etc. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order in the country.
The YouTube channels were also used to post fake news on various subjects, such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu, and Kashmir, etc. The content was observed to be completely false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign states.
The content blocked by the Ministry was found to be detrimental to the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, India’s friendly relations with foreign states, and public order in the country. Accordingly, the content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Modus Operandi
The blocked Indian YouTube channels were observed to be using fake and sensational thumbnails, images of news anchors, and logos of certain TV news channels to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic.
All the YouTube channels blocked by the Ministry were displaying advertisements on their videos having false content detrimental to communal harmony, public order, and India’s foreign relations.
With this action, since December 2021, the Ministry has issued directions for blocking 102 YouTube-based news channels and several other social media accounts. The Government of India remains committed to 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.
Details of Social Media Accounts and URLs Blocked
YouTube ChannelsSl. No. YouTube channel Name Media Statistics Loktantra Tv 23,72,27,331 views12.90 lakh subscribers U&V TV 14,40,03,291 views10.20 lakh subscribers AM Razvi 1,22,78,194 views95, 900 subscribers Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal 15,99,32,594 views7 lakh subscribers SeeTop5TH 24,83,64,997 views33.50 lakh subscribers Sarkari Update 70,41,723 views80,900 subscribers Sab Kuch Dekho 32,86,03,227 views19.40 lakh subscribers News ki Dunya (Pakistan-based) 61,69,439 views97,000 subscribers Total Over 114 crore views,85 lakh 73 thousand subscribers
Facebook PageSl. No. Facebook Account No. of Followers Loktantra Tv 3,62,495 Followers
Exemplars of Blocked Content
Loktantra Tv
U&V TV
AM Razvi
Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal
SeeTop5TH
Sarkari Update
Sab Kuch Dekho
News ki Dunya (Pakistan based)
The screenshot as under claims that 100 crore Hindus will kill 40 crore Muslims, and that Muslims should to go Pakistan or Bangladesh otherwise they will be massacred.
The below screenshot claims that India’s Qutub Minar mosque has been demolished.
