Ministry of I&B blocks 8 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order

 Blocked YouTube channels had over 114 crore views; and 85 lakh 73 thousand subscribers

Exemplars of Blocked Content : Loktantra Tv

PIB, 18 AUG 2022,  Delhi : The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, has issued orders on 16.08.2022 for blocking of eight (8) YouTube based news channels, one (1) Facebook account, and two Facebook posts. The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 114 crore, were subscribed by over 85 lakh users.

Exemplars of Blocked Content : Loktantra Tv

Analysis of Content

The purpose of the content published by some of these YouTube channels was to spread hatred among religious communities in India. False claims were made in various videos of the blocked YouTube channels. Examples include fake news such as the Government of India to have ordered demolition of religious structures; Government of India to have banned celebration of religious festivals, declaration of religious war in India, etc. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order in the country.

Exemplars of Blocked Content :U&V TV

Exemplars of Blocked Content :AM Razvi

The YouTube channels were also used to post fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. The content was observed to be completely false and sensitive from the perspective of national security and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.

Exemplars of Blocked Content :AM Razvi

The content blocked by the Ministry was found to be detrimental to sovereignty and integrity of India, security of the State, India’s friendly relations with foreign States, and public order in the country. Accordingly, the content was covered within the ambit of section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

Exemplars of Blocked Content :AM Razvi

Modus Operandi

The blocked Indian YouTube channels were observed to be using fake and sensational thumbnails, images of news anchors and logos of certain TV news channels to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic.

Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal

All the YouTube channels blocked by the Ministry were displaying advertisements on their videos having false content detrimental to communal harmony, public order and India’s foreign relations.

Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal

With this action, since December 2021, the Ministry has issued directions for blocking of 102 YouTube based news channels and several other social media accounts. The Government of India remains committed towards ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwart any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order.

 Details of Social Media Accounts and URLs Blocked

YouTube Channels/ YouTube channel Name  and Media Statistics

Loktantra Tv - 23,72,27,331 views - 12.90 lakh subscribers

U&V TV - 14,40,03,291 views - 10.20 lakh subscribers

AM Razvi - 1,22,78,194 views - 95, 900 subscribers 

Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal - 15,99,32,594 views - 7 lakh subscribers

SeeTop5TH - 24,83,64,997 views - 33.50 lakh subscribers

Sarkari Update - 70,41,723 views - 80,900 subscribers

Sab Kuch Dekho - 32,86,03,227 views - 19.40 lakh subscribers

News ki Dunya (Pakistan based) - 61,69,439 views - 97,000 subscribers

SeeTop5TH

TOTAL : Over 114 crore views - 85 lakh 73 thousand subscribers

Facebook Page / Facebook Account  - No. of Followers

Loktantra Tv - 3,62,495 Followers