New DelhiTaking action against the propaganda, the Government of India has made 20 YouTube channels and two websites. Taking strict steps, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked the Fake News Network running with the help of Pakistan.
According to PIB, intelligence agencies and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued the order on Monday. According to which 20 channels and 2 websites on YouTube were spreading lies against India through fake news. Steps were taken to block them in two separate orders. The first order was for a YouTube channel and the second order included the names of two news websites.
India dismantles Pakistani coordinated disinformation operation@MIB_India blocks #Pakistan sponsored fake news
network20 YouTube channels, 2 websites blocked for spreading anti-India propaganda
Read more: https://t.co/fs8xhjTyEE pic.twitter.com/YpAChpCaxa
– PIB India (@PIB_India) December 21, 2021
Kashmir, Army, CDS were spreading hatred on Ram temple
The channel and website belonged to a coordinated network operating out of Pakistan. Who are spreading false news about different types of sensitive topics related to India. The channels were used to distribute and spread provocative news on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, etc.
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This channelo done on
Notably, anti-India propaganda campaign modalities include ‘The Naya Pakistan Group’ (NPG), which operates from Pakistan, which has a network of YouTube channels, and a few other standalone YouTube channels that are NPG are not related to. The channels had a combined subscriber base. It has been learned that the total subscribers of these channels are more than 35 lakhs and their videos were viewed more than 55 crores times. At the same time, some YouTube channels of Naya Pakistan Group (NPG) were also being operated by anchors of Pakistani news channels.
Farmers’ movement was targeted
Significantly, these YouTube channels also used to make inflammatory posts on issues like farmers’ protests, protests related to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Not only this, these channels tried to incite minorities against the Indian government. It was also feared that the use of these YouTube channels was going to act as a hindrance to the democratic process of the upcoming five state elections.
It is noteworthy that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has worked to secure information in India. The Ministry has acted by exercising emergency powers under Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediate Guidelines and Digital Media Code of Conduct) Rules, 2021.
It has come to the notice of the Ministry that most of the content of these channels is related to sensitive subjects. Which are from the perspective of national security and factually incorrect. Mainly this content was being used to spread hatred against India from Pakistan. Therefore, it was directed to block it in case of emergency.