The government of India has blocked 22 youtube news based channels for spreading misinformation.
The Ministry of information and broadcasting blocked 22 youtube channels of which 18 are from India only and the rest 4 are from Pakistan. This step has been taken under IT rules, 2021.
“Multiple YouTube channels were used to post 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,” the government said.
“It was observed that a significant amount of false content published by these Indian YouTube-based channels related to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and aimed at jeopardising India’s foreign relations with other countries,” the Government added.
The ministry also said that those youtube channels used false thumbnails, and logos to several other TV news channels to mislead the viewers to believe the news was factual.
“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- the Ministry said.
“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 said.
