India blocks 20 YouTube channels, two websites for 'anti-India content'

Tribune Web Desk 
Chandigarh, December 21

India blocked 20 YouTube Channels and two websites for spreading what it called "fake news" and "anti-India propaganda" on Tuesday.

A press note from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Press Information Bureau said it had blocked the content in "a closely coordinated effort between intelligence agencies and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting" in two separate orders. 

"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 press release on PIB said. "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."

Their modus operandi, the PIB note said, was an "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," the note said. 

 Among their controversial content were"issues such as the farmers’ protest, protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act". 

These channels, the note claims, "tried to incite the minorities against the Government of India".

"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 press release said. 

The censored channels and websites are---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; and Bajwa.

Three of these---The Naked Truth; The Punch Line; and InternationalWeb News---together have a few lakh subscribers.

In a video message, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said "strong action" had been taken against 20 YouTube channels and two websites as they were creating an atmosphere of "fear and confusion" in India by running fake news and anti-India contents in violation of Indian laws.

"Action has been taken against them under the IT rules so that the agenda that Pakistan carries out against India (is blunted)... Strict action has been taken against them so that such forces do not work against India," he said.

The minister also tweeted, "We have taken strict action against cross-border activities aimed to spread unrest in India by way of spreading fake news and propaganda".

We have taken action against cross border activities aimed to spread unrest in India by way of spreading fake news and propaganda. YouTube channels and web portals were violating domestic laws and strong action has been taken against them: Union I&B Minister @ianuragthakur pic.twitter.com/0gyyJahPfZ

— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 21, 2021

 Here's the complete press note

In a closely coordinated effort between intelligence agencies and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Ministry on Monday ordered the blocking of 20 channels on YouTube and 2 websites spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news on the internet. Vide two separate orders – one for 20 YouTube channels directing YouTube, and the other for 2 news websites, requesting Department of Telecom to direct the internet service providers for blocking of the news channels/portals.

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, protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, and tried to incite the minorities against the Government of India. 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 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.

Annexure: Media statistics and Content posted by YouTube channels ordered to be blocked by Ministry of Information & Broadcasting

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