India blocks one Pakistani YouTube channel, seven others
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 20 August 2022
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The Indian government has taken action against eight YouTube channels for using deceptive content. One of the blocked channels is based in Pakistan, raising concerns about cross-border media influence.Summary
ISLAMABAD—The Indian government has ordered the blocking of eight YouTube channels, including one operating from Pakistan, for allegedly using "fake and sensational thumbnails" and spreading disinformation about India's national security.
In a statement, the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that the channels were observed to be "using fake and sensational thumbnails," images of news anchors, and logos of specific TV news channels to mislead viewers to believe that the news was authentic.
According to the ministry, YouTube channels made false claims, such as the demolition of religious structures by the government and the ban on the celebration of religious festivals.
The eight blocked channels, with more than 114 crore views and 85.73 lakh subscribers, are Loktantra TV, U&V TV, A M Razvi, Gouravshali Pawan Mithilanchal, SeeTop5TH, Sarkari Update, Sab Kuch Dekho, and Pakistan-based News ki Duniya.
This is the fifth instance since December 2021 of the ministry invoking the emergency powers available to it under the IT Rules to block digital media resources, The Times of India reported. "So far, the government has issued directions for blocking 102 such channels on YouTube and other social media platforms," the paper said.
Key Points
- Eight YouTube channels, including one from Pakistan, were blocked by the Indian government.
- The channels were accused of using fake thumbnails to mislead viewers.
- Claims included false information about government actions regarding religious structures.
- This marks the fifth instance of the Indian government using emergency powers to block channels.
- A total of 102 channels have been blocked since December 2021.
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