Information And Broadcasting Ministry Invokes IT Rules, 2021 To Block Two Pak YouTube Channels And Two Websites For Spreading Anti-India Propaganda

On Monday, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry invoked Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 ("IT Rules") and issued directions to block 20 YouTube channels and two websites that it claimed had indulged in spreading "anti-India propaganda and fake news". In a statement made on Tuesday, the Ministry said that it was constrained to resort to the emergency powers under the IT Rules, as most of the content pertained to subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security and are factually incorrect. Two separate orders were passed. One was issued to YouTube directing it to take down 20 channels on its platform and the other was to the Department of Telecom to direct the internet service providers to block two websites. The Ministry claimed that the twenty channels and the two websites were a part of a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spreading fake news on sensitive topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, etc.As per a statement made by the Ministry, on Tuesday, it claimed - "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."It was also alleged that the YouTube channels had intended to incite the minorities against the Indian Government by posting content related to farmer's protest and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act protest. The Ministry was concerned that the "disinformation network" would misuse these 20 YouTube channels to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states.

Information And Broadcasting Ministry Invokes IT Rules, 2021 To Block Two Pak YouTube Channels And Two Websites For Spreading Anti-India Propaganda

Sohini Chowdhury

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