The government has banned 20 YouTube channels and 2 websites for spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news on the internet. The ban announcement came after a closely coordinated effort between intelligence agencies and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The ministry vide two separate orders – one for 20 YouTube channels directing YouTube, and the other for 2 news websites, requesting Department of Telecom (DoT) to direct the internet service providers for blocking of the news channels/portals.
According to the government, the channels and websites belong to a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spreading fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India. The channels were used to post divisive content in a coordinated manner on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat,etc.
The modus operandi of the anti-India disinformation campaign involved The Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), operating from Pakistan, having a network of YouTube channels, and some other standalone YouTube channels not related to NPG. The channels had a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh, and their videos had over 55 crore views. Some of the YouTube channels of the Naya Pakistan Group (NPG) were being operated by anchors of Pakistani news channels.
These YouTube channels had also posted content on issues such as the farmers’ protest and protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. It was also feared that these YouTube channels would be used to post content to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states.
The ministry said that it has acted to secure the information space in India, and utilized emergency powers under the Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The Ministry observed that Most of the content pertains to subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security and are factually incorrect, and are being mainly posted from Pakistan as a coordinated disinformation network (as in the case of Naya Pakistan Group) against India and thus deemed it fit for action under the provisions to block content in case of emergency.
Here are the names of all the YouTube channels banned by the government:
* The Punch Line
* InternationalWeb News
* Khalsa TV
* The Naked Truth
* News24
* 48 News
* Fictional
* Historical Facts
* Punjab Viral
* Naya Pakistan Global
* Cover Story
* Go Global
* eCommerce
* Junaid Haleem Official
* Tayyab Hanif
* Zain Ali Official
* Mohsin Rajput
* Official
* Kaneez Fatima
* Sadaf Durrani
* Mian Imran
* Ahmad
* Najam Ul Hassan
* Bajwa
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Technology News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsAzi is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
