The Indian Government recently blocked over 100 YouTube channels that were said to be reporting fake news and hatred, said an official.
Govt Bans Hundreds of YouTube Channels Spreading Misinformation, Fake News
The Centre began hunting the fake news spreading on YouTube channels in 2021 and started taking them down under Information Technology Rules, 2021.
“The central government blocked 102 YouTube channels, numerous websites and social media accounts that used templates and logos of popular television channels to mislead their viewers into believing that the news presented by them was authentic,” an official said.
The ministry has been notified by the intelligence agency regarding such fake news and misinformation spreading YT Channels. Intelligence agencies were spotting social media sites and several major platforms where these channels were spreading hatred.
“Several of these channels were even earning revenue through advertisements and monetising fake news, as per the official.
“Last week, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ordered the blocking of eight YouTube channels, including one based in Pakistan, for presenting news such as ‘ban on Bakra-eid celebrations in India’, purported “attacks” on religious places revered by Muslims and joint “invasion” of Turkey by India and Egypt”, mentioned by livemint.
Topics like “military action on Ajmer Dargah” and “Muslims flying an Islamic flag on a temple” were being discussed by a YouTube Channel named A M Razvi, while another Pakistan-based YouTube channel, ‘News ki Duniya’, saying ‘Qutub Minar mosque’ was demolished. One more YouTube Channel named “Naya Pakistan Global” uttered, “North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had sent his army to Ayodhya”.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in January this year, blocked YT channels that were, “propagated content to encourage separatism, divide India into the lines of religion, and create animosity among the various sections of the Indian society,” mentioned by livemint.
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The government had taken action against two fake news spreading networks, “Apni Duniya Network, which was operating 14 YouTube channels, and Talha Films Network, which was operating 13 YouTube channels.”
“All these networks appeared to be operated with a single goal of spreading fake news oriented towards the Indian audience”, said the Ministry.
