Ministry of I&B blocks 22 YouTube channels for spreading disinformation related to India’s national security, foreign relations and public order -

18 Indian YouTube news channels blocked for the first time under IT Rules, 2021

4 Pakistan based YouTube news channels blocked

YouTube channels used logos of TV news channels & false thumbnails to mislead viewers

3 Twitter accounts, 1 Facebook account, and 1 news website also blocked

Delhi 05 APR . The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, utilizing the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021, has issued orders on 04.04.2022 for blocking of twenty-two (22) YouTube based news channels, three (3) Twitter accounts, one (1) Facebook account, and one (1) news website. The blocked YouTube channels had a cumulative viewership of over 260 crore, and were used to spread fake news, and coordinated disinformation over social media on subjects sensitive from the perspective of national security, India’s foreign relations, and public order.

Action on Indian YouTube based news channels

This is the first time action has been taken on the Indian YouTube based news publishers since the notification of the IT Rules, 2021 in February last year.Through the recent blocking order, eighteen (18) Indian and four (4) Pakistan based YouTube news channels have been blocked.

Analysis of Content

Multiple YouTube channels were used to post fake news on various subjects such as the Indian Armed Forces, Jammu and Kashmir, etc. The content ordered to be blocked also included certain anti-India content posted from multiple social media accounts operated in a coordinated manner from Pakistan.

It was observed that a significant amount of false content published by the these Indian YouTube based channels related to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and aimed at jeopardizing India’s foreign relations with other countries.

Modus Operandi

The blocked Indian YouTube channels were using templates and logos of certain TV news channels, including images of their news anchors to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic. False thumbnails were used; and title and thumbnail of the videos were frequently altered to increase the virality of content on social media. In certain cases, it was also observed that systematic anti-India fake news was originating from Pakistan.

With this action, since December 2021, the Ministry has issued directions for blocking of 78 YouTube based news channels and several other social media accounts on grounds related to national security, sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, etc.

The Government of India remains committed towards ensuring an authentic, trustworthy, and safe online news media environment, and thwart any attempts at undermining India’s sovereignty and integrity, national security, foreign relations, and public order.

Details of Social Media Accounts and Website Blocked

YouTube channels

Sl. No	YouTube Channel Name	Media Statistics
Indian YouTube channels
1.	ARP News	Subscribers: Total Views: 4,40,68,652
2.	AOP News	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 74,04,673
3.	LDC News	Subscribers: 4,72,000Total Views:6,46,96,730
4.	SarkariBabu	Subscribers: 2,44,000Total Views: 4,40,14,435
5.	SS ZONE Hindi	Subscribers: N.ATotal Views:5,28,17,274
6.	Smart News	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 13,07,34,161
7.	News23Hindi	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 18,72,35,234
8.	Online Khabar	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 4,16,00,442
9.	DP news	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 11,99,224
10.	PKB News	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 2,97,71,721
11.	KisanTak	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 36,54,327
12.	Borana News	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 2,46,53,931
13.	Sarkari News Update	Subscribers: NA Total Views: 2,05,05,161
14.	Bharat Mausam	Subscribers: 2,95,000Total Views: 7,04,14,480
15.	RJ ZONE 6	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 12,44,07,625
16.	Exam Report	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 3,43,72,553
17.	Digi Gurukul	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 10,95,22,595
18.	दिनभरकीखबरें	Subscribers: NATotal Views: 23,69,305
Pakistan based YouTube channels
19.	DuniyaMeryAagy	Subscribers: 4,28,000Total Views: 11,29,96,047
20.	Ghulam NabiMadni	Total Views: 37,90,109
21.	HAQEEQAT TV	Subscribers: 40,90,000Total Views: 1,46,84,10,797
22.	HAQEEQAT TV 2.0	Subscribers: 3,03,000Total Views: 37,542,059