One month after utilizing new powers granted under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 to ban 20 YouTube channels, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry announced on Friday that it has issued orders to ban 35 additional channels on the online platform following intelligence alerts.
These channels, all based in Pakistan and collectively garnering over 100 crore views, were identified by ministry officials as engaging in a coordinated dissemination of “anti-India fake news” across digital media.
In addition to the channel bans, orders were issued to block two websites, two Twitter accounts, two Instagram accounts, and one unspecified account.
The ministry stated that five separate orders were issued to block the websites and YouTube channels after intelligence agencies flagged them for immediate action. These actions were taken promptly upon receipt of intelligence inputs on Thursday.
The 35 channels were all operating from Pakistan and were linked to four coordinated disinformation networks, including the Apni Duniya Network with 14 YouTube channels and Talha Films Network with 13 YouTube channels. These networks were identified as spreading fake news targeting Indian audiences.
The use of intelligence inputs to regulate online content is in response to escalating anti-India propaganda on social media by pro-Pakistan entities. Officials indicated that more channels and sites are likely to be blocked to address this challenge.
These channels employed common hashtags, editing styles, and cross-promotion tactics. Some channels were operated by anchors from Pakistani TV news outlets.
The ministry expressed concerns that the content promoted separatism, religious divisions, and animosity within Indian society, potentially inciting criminal behavior and disrupting public order.
IB Secretary Apurva Chandra described the blocked channels as “toxic” and engaged in a “war of misinformation” against India, resulting in the invocation of Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000.
Chandra noted that intelligence inputs received in December led to the blocking of 20 YouTube channels and two websites, with fresh inputs received on Thursday indicating a common theme of operating from Pakistan and disseminating anti-India content.
The channels focused on sensitive topics such as the Indian Armed Forces, Kashmir, foreign relations, separatism, and recent national events.
Chandra emphasized the need for public assistance in identifying channels and websites propagating harmful content, and praised the cooperation of intermediaries like YouTube and Facebook in implementing the ministry’s orders promptly.
Emergency powers were used to block the channels, with an inter-departmental committee set to review the orders in the upcoming week.
