At least 22 YouTube channels, including four which were based out of Pakistan, were banned by the central government on Tuesday for “spreading disinformation” related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order.
Further, three Twitter and one Facebook accounts, and a news website have also been blocked. In a statement, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021 were used to block these channels and accounts.
“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 statement read.
“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 statement added.
The ministry further said that the channels were using false titles and thumbnails “to increase the virality of content”, adding anti-India fake news was also originating from Pakistan. With this action, it said, the ministry has blocked 78 YouTube channels and several other social media accounts.
“The Government of India remains committed towards ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwart any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order,” it noted.
Following are the 18 Indian and four Pakistan-based YouTube channel blocked by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry:
1. ARP News
2. AOP News
3. LDC News
4. SarkariBabu
5. SS ZONE Hindi
6. Smart News
7. News23Hindi
8. Online Khabar
9. DP news
10. PKB News
11. KisanTak
12. Borana News
13. Sarkari News Update
14. Bharat Mausam
15. RJ ZONE 6
16. Exam Report
17. Digi Gurukul
18. दिनभरकीखबरें
Pakistan-based channels:
19. DuniyaMeryAagy
20. Ghulam NabiMadni
21. HAQEEQAT TV
22. HAQEEQAT TV 2.0
Website:
1. Dunya Mere Aagy
Facebook accounts:
1. DunyaMeryAagy
Twitter accounts:
1. Ghulam NabiMadni
2. DunyaMeryAagy
3. Haqeeqat TV
