Centre blocks 16 YouTube channels for spreading hatred and fake news

The Indian government has blocked 16 YouTube channels for spreading misinformation and hatred-inducing content. Six of these channels are operating from Pakistan and are accused of streaming fake news about India's national security, foreign relations, and public order.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that the cumulative viewership of the channels was over 68 crore. "They were spreading false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony, and disturb public order."

Some of the India-based channels are alleged to have referred to the members of a particular community as terrorists and incited hatred among various religious communities. "Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order."

The official statement also noted that none of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the ministry as required under Rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021.

The blocked YouTube channels include MRF TV LIVE, Saini Education Research, Tahaffuz-e-Deen India, and SBB News. Pakistan-based blocked channels are AjTak Pakistan, Discover Point, Reality Checks, and The Voice of Asia.

The blocked India-based channels are also accused of publishing unverified news that can trigger panic among various sections of society. Some of the flagged content is related to the announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19 which incited panic among migrant workers.

Fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities were also found to be detrimental to public order, said the statement from the ministry.

The Pakistan-based channels are said to have been used in a coordinated manner to spread fake news about India related to the Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and foreign relations in connection with the war in Ukraine. "The content of these channels was observed to be sensitive from the perspective of national security, sovereignty, and integrity of India," said the ministry.

The statement added that such false information can affect friendly relations with foreign States. The ministry had recently issued a warning to private TV channels regarding using scandalous headlines and making false claims.

A Facebook account has also been blocked for the same reason.