In a closely coordinated operation between the intelligence agencies and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B Ministry), the government, blocked 20 Pakistani YouTube channels and two Pakistan-backed websites that were spreading ‘anti-India propaganda and fake news’ targeting the Ram Temple, the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and more recently, even the tragic death of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat.
“The channels and websites belong to a coordinated disinformation network operating from Pakistan and spreading fake news about various sensitive subjects related to India. The channels were used to post divisive content in a coordinated manner on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat etc,” a statement by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said.
According to the PIB release, the YouTube misinformation campaign against India was being run by one Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), which has a network of YouTube channels. Besides the ones operated by NPG, the Indian government also blocked certain ‘standalone’ YouTube channels that were spreading fake news against India.
Pakistan-backed YouTube channels had over 35 lakh subscribers
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the combined subscriber base of these YouTube channels is over 35 lakh. Interestingly, some of the Pakistan-backed YouTube channels blocked by the Government of India today also had Pakistani news anchors operating them.
From posting content on farmers protests to posts against the Citizenship Amendment Act, these blocked Pakistani YouTube channels also attempted to incite minorities in India against the government.
“It was also feared that these YouTube channels would be used to post content to undermine the democratic process of the upcoming elections in five states… The Ministry has acted to secure the information space in India, and utilized emergency powers under Rule 16 of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. The Ministry observed that Most of the content pertains to subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security and are factually incorrect,” the PIB release said.
