The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocked 10 Indian and six Pakistan-based YouTube channels using emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021 and a Facebook account for allegedly spreading misinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order.
The blocked YouTube channels based in Pakistan were found to have been used in a coordinated manner to post fake news about India on various subjects such as the Army, Jammu and Kashmir and foreign relations amid Russia-Ukraine war.
The Ministry also said that the blocked YouTube channels and the Facebook account were spreading “false, unverified information to create panic, incite communal disharmony and disturb public order in India.” The content published by some of the blocked India-based YouTube channels is said to be connected with the members of a particular community as terrorists and triggered hatred among various religious communities.
The ministry said, “Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order. Examples include false claims related to announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19, thereby threatening the migrant workers, and fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities etc. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country.”
The blocked YouTube channels include MRF TV LIVE, Saini Education Research, Tahaffuz-e-Deen India and SBB News. The channels based in Pakistan include AjTak Pakistan, Discover Point, Reality Checks and The Voice of Asia.
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