I&B Ministry blocks 16 Youtube channels for allegedly spreading misinformation, hatred

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The crackdown continued on on-line video sharing and social media platforms, which had been spreading false information, with the minister of knowledge and broadcasting (I&B) blocking 16 YouTube information channels and one Facebook web page.

These digital information shops had been additionally accused of operating unverified info to create panic, inciting communal disharmony thus disturbing public order.

According to the ministry, 10 channels had been based mostly in India and 6 had been being operated from Pakistan. Their cumulative viewership is 68 crore.

The motion towards social media accounts and Youtube channels, operating faux information and spreading coordinated disinformation, started in December. Since then, the Government has blocked greater than 90 channels and social media networking accounts.

“Utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, the ministry of I&B, 2021, vide two separate orders on April 22, issued directions for blocking of 16 YouTube news channels and one Facebook account,” confirmed the ministry on Monday.

None of the blocked digital information publishers had furnished info to the ministry as required below IT guidelines.

The content material revealed by Indian YouTube channels referred to a neighborhood as terrorists, and incited hatred among the many members of varied spiritual communities. Such content material was discovered to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order.

“Multiple India based YouTube channels were observed to publish unverified news and videos having the potential to create panic among various sections of the society. 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. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country,” learn an announcement issued by the ministry.

On Saturday, the ministry had suggested personal tv information channels to not run false claims and use scandalous headlines.

The blocked channels ran faux information similar to Germany demanding sanctions on India, Saudi Arabia asserting stopping oil export to India, Turkey destroying India’s S400 defence system, and Russia hanging 40 Indian troopers in Ukraine.

The channels which have been blocked are Saini Education Research, Hindi Mein Dekho, Technical Yogendra, Aaj te information, Defence News24x7, The research time, Latest Update, MRF TV LIVE, and Tahaffuz-E-Deen India. All these had been based mostly in India. The blocked Pakistani channels are AjTak Pakistan, Discover Point, Reality Checks, Kaiser Khan, The Voice of Asia, and Bol Media Bol. The banned fb is Tahaffuz E Deen Media Services INDIA.

Earlier this month, the ministry blocked 22 such channels and social media handles. In January, the minister issued instructions to dam 35 YouTube information channels and two web sites. In December, it took motion towards 20 YouTube Channels and two web sites, working from Pakistan below the identical provisions for the primary time.