Govt blocks 35 'Pakistan-based' YouTube channels for propagating fake news
India Today
As many as 35 YouTube channels, along with multiple social media accounts 'based out of Pakistan', have been blocked by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B).
The Government of India on Friday banned 35 YouTube channels and multiple social media accounts for spreading "fake news". Similar action was initiated by the ministry in December of last year when 20 YouTube channels were blocked for airing 'anti-India' content.
Conveying the government's decision, I&B Secretary Apurva Chandra said during a press conference that content posted by these YouTube channels and accounts had nearly 130 crore views.
"These accounts were based out of Pakistan. They were propagating fake news, and unleashing a fake news war against India," the Secretary of the Information and Broadcasting ministry said.
READ: I&B Ministry Twitter account hacked, restored after few minutes
Joint Secretary in the I&B Ministry, Vikram Sahay, said action has been initiated against these YouTube channels and social media accounts as per the IT Rules.
"We have banned 35 YouTube channels, two Twitter handles, two Instagram handles, two websites and one Facebook account," Sahay said.
He added that these channels and social media handles were being used to promote "anti-India" propaganda.
