The Central government on Friday informed that it has issued directions for blocking 35 Youtube channels, half a dozen social media accounts and a couple of websites for running fake anti-India news and other content.
During a press briefing, Vikram Sahay, Joint Secretary (P&A), I&B Ministry, said, “Yesterday on 20th January, based on fresh intelligence inputs which the Ministry received, we have issued directions for blocking 35 YouTube channels, 2 Twitter accounts, 2 Instagram Accounts, 2 websites & a Facebook account.”
“The common factor amongst all these accounts have been that they operate from Pakistan and spread fake anti-India news & other content,” he added.
I&B Ministry Secretary Apurv Chandra further confirmed that the Pakistan-based YouTube channels and social media accounts have been blocked under the IT Act.
He stressed that war of misinformation against the country is toxic and a direct affront on sovereignty and integrity of the country.
Detailing the content being run on the now-banned channels, Chandra said, “One of fake content was that Bipin Rawat was assassinated and NSA Ajit Doval was behind the crash.”
“Another misinformation campaign said one of Rawat’s daughters is going to accept Islam following her father’s assassination,” he added.
Earlier in December, 2021, the Central government had blocked 20 YouTube channels and two websites operating from Pakistan. The decision was taken following intelligence inputs.
These channels and websites had palpably anti-India content, inimical to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, and potential to disrupt public order, read a government statement.
