In A First, Indian Government Bans 22 YouTube Channels For Spreading Misinformation
The Government of India on Tuesday blocked 22 YouTube channels for spreading misinformation. Out of these, 18 were India-based channels while 4 were based out Pakistan.
GOI's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked 22 YouTube channels for spreading misinformation about India's national security, the government's statement said.
The statement also noted that this marked the first time YouTube channels were blocked under the new IT Rules of 2021. In addition, three Twitter accounts, one Facebook account, and one news website were also blocked in India.
According to the ministry, these channels were using logos of TV news channels and fake thumbnails to mislead viewers. The ministry added that they outlined the fake content that was being shared by these channels.
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"The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, utilising the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, has issued orders on 04.04.2022 for blocking of twenty-two (22) YouTube based news channels, three (3) Twitter accounts, one (1) Facebook account, and one (1) news website. The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crore, and were used to spread fake news, and coordinated disinformation over social media on subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security, India¡¯s foreign relations, and public order," the release said.
Using templates of real news channels and anchors, these YouTube channels were reportedly spreading false information.
The full list of blocked YouTube channels from India:
- ARP News (Total Views: 4,40,68,652)
- AOP News (Total Views: 74,04,673)
- LDC News (4,72,000 subscribers and 6,46,96,730 total views)
- SarkariBabu (2,44,000 subscribers and 4,40,14,435 total views)
- SS ZONE Hindi (Total Views:5,28,17,274)
- Smart News (Total Views: 13,07,34,161)
- News23Hindi (Total Views: 18,72,35,234)
- Online Khabar (Total Views: 4,16,00,442)
- DP news (Total Views: 11,99,224)
- PKB News (Total Views: 2,97,71,721)
- KisanTak (Total Views: 36,54,327)
- Borana News (Total Views: 2,46,53,931)
- Sarkari News Update (Total Views: 2,05,05,161)
- Bharat Mausam (2,95,000 subscribers and 7,04,14,480 Total Views)
- RJ ZONE 6 (Total Views: 12,44,07,625)
- Exam Report (Total Views: 3,43,72,553)
- Digi Gurukul (Total Views: 10,95,22,595)
- ???????????? (Total Views: 23,69,305)
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Channels from Pakistan that were blocked on YouTube:
- DuniyaMeryAagy (4,28,000 subscribers and 11,29,96,047 total views)
- Ghulam NabiMadni (Total Views: 37,90,109)
- HAQEEQAT TV (40,90,000 subscribers and 1,46,84,10,797 Total Views)
- HAQEEQAT TV 2.0 (3,03,000 subscribers and 37,542,059 total views)
Have you watched any of these YouTube channels to consume news? Let us know in the comments below.?For more in the world of?technology?and?science, keep reading?Indiatimes.com.
