The central government blocked 20 YouTube channels and two websites on Tuesday for spreading anti-India propaganda and fake news on the internet, according to the ministry of information and broadcasting. The government said that most of the content posted by the channels pertains to “subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security and are factually incorrect.”
The decision to block the YouTube channels and websites were taken by the ministry in close coordination with the intelligence agencies. The ministry said that the now blocked channels and websites belonged to a coordinated disinformation network from Pakistan and used to post divisive content on Kashmir, Indian Army, Ram Mandir, minority communities, and CDS General Bipin Rawat, among other various sensitive subjects related to India.
A network of YouTube channels of Pakistan-based The Naya Pakistan Group (NPG) and some other standalone channels, with a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh, were involved in the disinformation campaign. The ministry said that some of the YouTube channels of the Naya Pakistan Group were being operated by “anchors of Pakistani news channels”.
The YouTube channels allegedly tried to incite the religious minorities against the Union government by posting content related to farmers’ protests and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
“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 added.
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”, it said.
The modus operandi of the anti-India disinformation campaign involved the Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), operating from Pakistan, which has a network of YouTube channels, and some other standalone YouTube channels not related to NPG, the statement said.
