Ministry Of I&B Blocks 22 You Tube Channels for Spreading Disinformation Related to India’s National Security, Foreign Relations and Public Order
(Judicial Quest News Network)
In a significant move Eighteen Indian and Four Pakistani you tube news channels, three twitter accounts, one face book account and a news website were blocked for spreading fake news and indulging in coordinated disinformation campaigns over social media on India’s national security, foreign relations and public order, the government said on Tuesday. The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crores, 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.
Action on Indian YouTube based news channels
The press releases said that this is the first-time action has been taken on the Indian YouTube based news publishers since the notification of the IT Rules, 2021 in February last year. Through the recent blocking order, eighteen (18) Indian and four (4) Pakistan based YouTube news channels have been blocked.
Analysis of Content
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.
Modus Operandi
The blocked Indian YouTube channels were using templates and logos of certain TV news channels, including images of their news anchors to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic. False thumbnails were used; and 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.
With this action, since December 2021, the Ministry has issued directions for blocking of 78 YouTube based news channels and several other social media accounts on grounds related to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, etc.
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 is also found in the report that many of the YouTube channels were using false thumbnails and title and those 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 government of India remains committed towards ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwart any attempts at understanding India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations and public order.
