Centre blocks 1 Pakistani, 7 Indian YouTube channels for spreading 'fake anti-India content'

New Delhi: The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on Thursday (August 18, 2022) said that it has blocked eight YouTube channels, including seven from India and one from Pakistan, for “spreading disinformation” related to India’s national security, foreign relations, and public order. In an official statement, the Ministry said that it also issued orders on August 16, 2022, for blocking one Facebook account, and two Facebook posts. “The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 114 crores, were subscribed by over 85 lakh users,” it said. YouTube channels spread hatred among religious communities in India The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting stated that 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 the demolition of religious structures; the Government of India to have banned the celebration of religious festivals, the 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,” it said. The YouTube channels…
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