The Indian government has taken action against YouTube channels and websites spreading fake news.
According to press releases issued by the Press Information Bureau, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has ordered the blocking of 35 YouTube-based news channels and 2 websites involved in spreading fake anti-Indian news in a coordinated digital media.
In accordance with release, a YouTube account that is prohibited has a total customer base of more than 1.2 crores, and their videos have more than 130 crores.
The Ministry has ordered blocking several accounts and Pakistani-based social media websites.
The Indian intelligence agency strictly monitors accounts and social media websites and marks them to services for immediate action, according to PIB release.
In addition, two Twitter accounts, two Instagram accounts, and one Facebook account have also been blocked by the government to be involved in the distribution of anti-Indian disinformation coordinated through the internet.
Why is the channel forbidden? According to press releases, 35 accounts blocked by the Ministry all operate from Pakistan and identified as part of the four coordinated disinformation networks.
This includes the APNI Duniya network that operates YouTube channels, and Talha film networks that operate 13 YouTube channels.
A set of four channels and a set of two other channels also found acting in synchronizing each other.
Channels, according to release, are operated with one destination spreading fake news to Indian audiences.
Channels which are part of a network that uses general tags and editing forces operated by ordinary people, and crosses promoting content with each other.
Some YouTube channels are operated by Pakistani TV news channel anchor.
YouTube channels, websites, and other social media accounts blocked by the ministry are used by Pakistan to spread the fake news of anti-India about sensitive subjects related to India.
These include topics such as Indian soldiers, Jammu and Kashmir, and Indian foreign relations with other countries.
Earlier in December 2021, the government has banned 20 YouTube channels and 2 websites to do the same.
Here is a list of 35 YouTube channels that have been prohibited: Khabar with the fact of Khabar Taiz Global Truth Global Flash Information Now Faisal Tarar Talks APNI Dunya TV Haqeenear KI World Mera Pakistan With Ahmad HR TV Sabee Kazmi TV Network Like Saqib Speaks Salman Haidar Official Gondal Speaking Maleeha Hashmey Umar Daraz Gondal Khoji TV 2.0 Cover Point Junaid National Studio National Studio360 Haqeeqat News Haqeeqat News 786 Bol Media TV Studio Zaki Abbas Abbas Dnow