<p>Utilizing the emergency powers granted by the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information &amp; Broadcasting issued orders on August 16, 2022, to prohibit eight YouTube-based news channels, one Facebook account, and two <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-fluffs-its-lines-yet-again-fails-to-catch-misinformation-in-ads-ahead-of-brazil-elections-507202">Facebook</a> postings. The blocked YouTube channels have more than 114 crore total visitors and more than 85 lakh subscribers.</p>

<p>As per the I&amp;B ministry, some of these YouTube channels produced content with the intention of inciting hate among the Indian religious communities. In a number of videos from the restricted YouTube channels, false statements were made. Examples of<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/russias-fake-robot-gun-dog-507806"> fake</a> news include reports that the Indian government has ordered the destruction of religious institutions, forbade the observance of religious holidays, declared a religious war in India, etc. Such material was discovered to have the ability to destabilise national order and sow discord among communities.</p>

<p><img alt="List of channels blocked" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="29225e65-4ffd-474c-ab53-11f525b24d42" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/List%20of%20Youtube%20channels%20blocked.png" /></p>

<p><strong><em>Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India</em></strong></p>

<p>It was determined that the information was entirely incorrect and sensitive in terms of national security and India's positive relations with other countries.</p>

<p>The content that the Ministry restricted was determined to be harmful to India's sovereignty and integrity, security, good ties with other countries, and domestic public order. As a result, the information was covered by section 69A of the Information Technology Act of 2000.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-chinese-spy-ship-controversy-and-indias-espionage-concerns-507931">Explained: Chinese 'spy ship' controversy and India's 'espionage' concerns</a></p>


Utilizing the emergency powers granted by the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issued orders on August 16, 2022, to prohibit eight YouTube-based news channels, one Facebook account, and two Facebook postings.

Utilizing the emergency powers granted by the IT Rules, 2021, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting issued orders on August 16, 2022, to prohibit eight YouTube-based news channels, one Facebook account, and two Facebook postings. The blocked YouTube channels have more than 114 crore total visitors and more than 85 lakh subscribers. As per the I&B ministry, some of these YouTube channels produced content with the intention of inciting hate among the Indian religious communities. In a number of videos from the restricted YouTube channels, false statements were made. Examples of fake news include reports that the Indian government has ordered the destruction of religious institutions, forbade the observance of religious holidays, declared a religious war in India, etc. Such material was discovered to have the ability to destabilise national order and sow discord among communities. Source: Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India It was determined that the information was entirely incorrect and sensitive in terms of national security and India's positive relations with other countries. The content that the Ministry restricted was determined to be harmful to India's sovereignty and integrity, security, good ties with other countries, and domestic public order. As a result, the information was covered by section 69A of the Information Technology Act of 2000. Also read | Explained: Chinese 'spy ship' controversy and India's 'espionage' concerns

India: Ministry of I&B blocks 8 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation related to India

<p>The Indian government has ordered to block&nbsp;35 YouTube channels and two websites that were said to be running “anti-India propaganda” and spreading fake news “in a coordinated manner”.</p>

<p>These websites and YouTube channels were being operated from Pakistan, the Information and Broadcasting ministry said on Friday.</p>

<p>These websites and channels had a total of 120 million subscribers and were running fake news on&nbsp;former Chief of Defence Staff Late General Bipin Rawat, the ministry stated.</p>

<p>The order was issued on Thursday.</p>

<p>“The YouTube channels, websites, and other social media accounts blocked by the Ministry were used by Pakistan for spreading anti-India fake news about sensitive subjects related to India,” it said in a statement.</p>

<p>“These include topics such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations with other countries. It was observed that rampant fake news was spread through the YouTube channels regarding the demise of the former Chief of Defence Staff Late General Bipin Rawat. These YouTube channels had also started posting content to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states,” it said.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/20-youtube-channels-two-websites-taken-down-under-it-act-for-anti-india-propaganda-report-438631">20 YouTube channels, two websites taken down under IT Act for ‘anti-India’ propaganda: Report</a></p>

<p>The Indian intelligence agencies were closely monitoring these social media accounts and websites and flagged them to the ministry for immediate action, he added.</p>

<p>"Vide five separate orders issued under rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry has ordered to block these Pakistan-based social media accounts and websites," the ministry said in a statement later.</p>

<p>Among the channels that were ordered to be blocked include Apni Duniya Network, which was operating 14 YouTube channels, and Talha Films Network operating 13 YouTube channels.</p>

<p>A set of four channels, and a set of two other channels were also found to be acting in synchronization with each other.</p>

<p>“All these networks appeared to be operated with a single goal of spreading fake news oriented towards the Indian audience. The channels which were part of a network used common hashtags and editing styles, were being operated by common persons, and cross promoted each other’s content. Some of the YouTube channels were being operated by anchors of Pakistani TV news channels,” the ministry said.</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


The Indian government has ordered to block 35 YouTube channels and two websites that were said to be running “anti-India propaganda” and spreading fake news “in a coordinated manner”.

The Indian government has ordered to block 35 YouTube channels and two websites that were said to be running “anti-India propaganda” and spreading fake news “in a coordinated manner”. These websites and YouTube channels were being operated from Pakistan, the Information and Broadcasting ministry said on Friday. These websites and channels had a total of 120 million subscribers and were running fake news on former Chief of Defence Staff Late General Bipin Rawat, the ministry stated. The order was issued on Thursday. “The YouTube channels, websites, and other social media accounts blocked by the Ministry were used by Pakistan for spreading anti-India fake news about sensitive subjects related to India,” it said in a statement. “These include topics such as the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir, and India’s foreign relations with other countries. It was observed that rampant fake news was spread through the YouTube channels regarding the demise of the former Chief of Defence Staff Late General Bipin Rawat. These YouTube channels had also started posting content to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states,” it said. Also read | 20 YouTube channels, two websites taken down under IT Act for ‘anti-India’ propaganda: Report The Indian intelligence agencies were closely monitoring these social media accounts and websites and flagged them to the ministry for immediate action, he added. "Vide five separate orders issued under rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, the Ministry has ordered to block these Pakistan-based social media accounts and websites," the ministry said in a statement later. Among the channels that were ordered to be blocked include Apni Duniya Network, which was operating 14 YouTube channels, and Talha Films Network operating 13 YouTube channels. A set of four channels, and a set of two other channels were also found to be acting in synchronization with each other. “All these networks appeared to be operated with a single goal of spreading fake news oriented towards the Indian audience. The channels which were part of a network used common hashtags and editing styles, were being operated by common persons, and cross promoted each other’s content. Some of the YouTube channels were being operated by anchors of Pakistani TV news channels,” the ministry said. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian govt bans 35 YouTube channels, 2 websites for running ‘anti-India’ propaganda

<p>Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the press release regarding 'fake news'&nbsp;to be withdrawn. As per PM Modi's order, the matter should now be addressed in Press Council of India.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FLASH?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FLASH</a>: Prime Minister has directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India. <a href="https://t.co/KVUBeAoDhC">pic.twitter.com/KVUBeAoDhC</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/981063988913016832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Indian government yesterday amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists in a bid to deal with the rise of "fake news".</p>

<p>The move came in the wake of the Malaysian Parliament pushing for a law that made 'fake news' punishable with a maximum six-year jail term.</p>

<p>Smriti Irani-led Information & Broadcasting ministry proposed penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”.</p>

<p>The guidelines were set to apply to journalists accredited by the Government of India, thereby indicating government's plan to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in 'fake news' through the I&B ministry.</p>

<p>“While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said in its release.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/india-news/government-proposes-penalties-for-journalists-reporting-fake-news-127949">Government proposes penalties for journalists reporting 'fake news'</a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting&nbsp;took to Twitter saying that the accreditation guidelines have generated a debate.</p>

<p>"Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same," her tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2</p>
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) <a href="https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/981060726042300421?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Irani welcomed journalists to engage with her over questions and doubts related to the guidelines.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">.<a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MIB_India</a> is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism. Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at <a href="https://twitter.com/MIB_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MIB_India</a>. 2/2</p>
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) <a href="https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/981061044914278401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

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The Indian government yesterday amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists in a bid to deal with the rise of 'fake news'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the press release regarding 'fake news' to be withdrawn. As per PM Modi's order, the matter should now be addressed in Press Council of India. #FLASH: Prime Minister has directed that the press release regarding fake news be withdrawn and the matter should only be addressed in Press Council of India. pic.twitter.com/KVUBeAoDhC — ANI (@ANI) April 3, 2018 × The Indian government yesterday amended the guidelines for accreditation of journalists in a bid to deal with the rise of "fake news". The move came in the wake of the Malaysian Parliament pushing for a law that made 'fake news' punishable with a maximum six-year jail term. Smriti Irani-led Information & Broadcasting ministry proposed penalties ranging from suspension to cancellation of accreditation of journalists found guilty of reporting “fake news”. The guidelines were set to apply to journalists accredited by the Government of India, thereby indicating government's plan to deal with non-accredited journalists engaging in 'fake news' through the I&B ministry. “While examining the requests seeking accreditation, the regulatory agencies will examine whether the `Norms of Journalistic Conduct’ and `Code of Ethics and Broadcasting Standards’ prescribed by the PCI and NBA respectively are adhered to by the journalists as part of their functioning. It would be obligatory for journalists to abide by these guidelines,” the Information & Broadcasting ministry said in its release. Also read: Government proposes penalties for journalists reporting 'fake news' Meanwhile, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting took to Twitter saying that the accreditation guidelines have generated a debate. "Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same," her tweet read. PIB Accreditation Guidelines asking Press Council of India & News Broadcasters Association to define & act against ‘fake news’ have generated debate. Several journalists & organisations have reached out giving positive suggestions regarding the same. 1/2 — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018 × Irani welcomed journalists to engage with her over questions and doubts related to the guidelines. .@MIB_India is more than happy to engage with journalist body or organisation/s wanting to give suggestions so that together we can fight the menace of ‘fake news’ & uphold ethical journalism. Interested journalists and/or organisations may feel free to meet me at @MIB_India. 2/2 — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 3, 2018 ×

'Fake news' issue: PM Modi steps in, orders withdrawal of press guidelines