Ministry of Information and Broadcasting blocks 16 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation - check list of handles

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has blocked 16 YouTube news channels for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order. The list includes 10 Indian and 6 Pakistan-based YouTube channels that were disabled using emergency powers under IT Rules, 2021, as per a statement by PIB.

"The blocked social media accounts include six Pakistan based and ten India based YouTube news channels, having a cumulative viewership of over 68 crores. It was observed that these channels were used to spread fake news over social media on matters related to national security, India’s foreign relations, communal harmony in the country, and public order. None of the digital news publishers had furnished information to the Ministry as required under rule 18 of the IT Rules, 2021," the I&B Ministry said in an official statement.

The content published by some of the India-based YouTube channels referred to a community as terrorists, and incited hatred among the members of various religious communities. Such content was found to have the potential to create communal disharmony and disturb public order, the PIB statement added.

According to the I&B Ministry, "Multiple India-based YouTube channels were observed to publish unverified news and videos having the potential to create panic among various sections of the society. Examples include false claims related to the announcement of a pan-India lockdown due to COVID-19 thereby threatening the migrant workers, fabricated claims alleging threats to certain religious communities, etc. Such content was observed to be detrimental to public order in the country."

YouTube channels based in Pakistan were found to have been used in a coordinated manner to post fake news about India on various subjects such as the Indian Army, Jammu, and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations in the light of the situation in Ukraine, etc. The content of these channels was observed to be false, and sensitive from the perspective of national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, and India’s friendly relations with foreign States.

On 23rd April 2022, the Ministry had also advised private TV news channels against making false claims and using scandalous headlines. The government of India remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure information environment in India across print, television, and online media.

List of Blocked Youtube Channels of India
Saini Education Research
Hindi Mein Dekho
Technical Yogendra
Aaj te news
SBB News
Defence News24x7
The study time
Latest Update
MRF TV LIVE
Tahaffuz-E-Deen India

List of Blocked Youtube Channels of Pakistan
AjTak Pakistan
Discover Point
Reality Checks
Kaiser Khan
The Voice of Asia
Bol Media Bol