Exercising emergency powers under IT Regulations, 2021, the Department of Information and Broadcasting, 2021, issued two separate orders on 22.04.2022, issued guidelines for blocking six YouTube-based news channels and one account for Facebook.
Blocked social media accounts include six Pakistani-based news channels and ten Indian Indians, with more than 68 million viewers. It has been noted that these channels are being used to spread false news on social media platforms related to national security, Indian foreign relations, national harmony and social order. None of the digital media publishers provided information to the Department as required under Act 18 of the IT Regulations, 2021.
Content Status
Content published by other YouTube-based YouTube channels targeted the community as terrorists, and incited hatred among members of various religious communities. Such content was found to have the potential to create social unrest, disrupting public order.
Many Indian-based YouTube channels have been recognized for publishing unconfirmed news and powerful videos that cause panic among various sections of society. Examples include false claims related to the proclamation of pan-India closure due to COVID-19, that threatens migrant workers, and false claims that pose threats to certain religious communities, etc. Such content has been shown to undermine public order in the country.
Pakistani-based YouTube channels have been found to be systematicalsending false news about India on various topics such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India-foreign relations due to the Ukrainian situation, etc. The content of these channels has been deemed to be entirely false, and is sensitive to the point of view of national security, Indian sovereignty and integrity, as well as India’s friendly relations with foreign countries.
On April 23, 2022, the Department again advised independent television news stations to file false allegations and use scandalous headlines. The Government of India remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment in India for all printers, televisions and online media
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