New Delhi: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday (August 18, 2022) said it has blocked eight YouTube channels, including seven from India and one from Pakistan, for “spreading disinformation” related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order. . In an official statement, the ministry said that it also issued orders to block one Facebook account and two Facebook posts on August 16, 2022.
“The total viewership of blocked YouTube channels was over 114 million, subscribed by over 85 million users,” it said.
YouTube channels spread hatred among religious communities in India
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the content published by some of these YouTube channels was intended to spread “hatred” among religious communities in India.
“False claims were made in various videos from blocked YouTube channels. Examples include fake news like Indian government ordering demolition of religious structures; Indian government banning celebration of religious festivals, religious announcements” War in India, etc. Such material was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb the public order in the country.”
YouTube channels were also used to post fake news on various topics like Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. The material was found to be completely incorrect and sensitive from the point of view of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign states, the ministry informed.
“The material blocked by the ministry was found to be injurious 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 material was included in the purview of section 69A. Information Technology Act, 2000,” the official statement read.
YouTube channels that have been blocked
- Democracy TV (23,72,27,331 views, 12.90 lakh subscribers)
- U&V TV (14,40,03,291 views, 10.20 lakh subscribers)
- AM Razvi (1,22,78,194 views, 95,900 subscribers)
- Glorious Pawan Mithilanchal (15,99,32,594 views, 7 lakh subscribers)
- SeeTop5TH (24,83,64,997 views, 33.50 lakh subscribers)
- Official Updates (70,41,723 views, 80,900 subscribers)
- Dekho everything (32,86,03,227 views, 19.40 lakh subscribers)
- Pakistan based channel – News of the World (61,69,439 views, 97,000 subscribers)
Blocked YouTube channels used fake thumbnails, pictures of news anchors
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the blocked Indian YouTube channels were using fake and sensational thumbnails, images of news anchors and logos of some TV news channels to mislead viewers into believing that the news was authentic.
“All the YouTube channels blocked by the ministry were displaying advertisements on their videos containing false content harmful to communal harmony, public order and India’s foreign relations,” the statement said.
The ministry also shared some examples of blocked content:
Since December 2021, the ministry has blocked 102 YouTube channels and several other social media accounts.